How do you participate in a panel discussion?

It is also important to take into consideration what you wish to accomplish by participating in the panel, and to make sure that the event, venue, panel participants and audience, are the appropriate to succeed with the desired results. This is a key factor in defining your role in the panel, to be planned ahead of time.

I agree that panel discussions can be much more productive when participants have a clear understanding of their roles. For instance, if you're the moderator, your responsibility is to guide the conversation, ensure everyone gets a chance to speak, and keep the discussion on track. On the other hand, if you're the provocateur, your role might involve challenging ideas and stimulating debate. Knowing how much time you have to speak is vital for maintaining the flow of the panel. It's also essential to align your contributions with the main themes and objectives of the discussion. Consider the panel's structure and format. This knowledge helps you adapt your style and tone accordingly, ensuring a cohesive and engaging discussion.

This is incredibly important to understand as it will also impact how your contribution is perceived by the audience. It’s equally important to understand who your fellow panel members are and spend some time trying to understand their attitude towards the topic. In this way, you can be prepared to offer alternative perspectives, as you will already know how yours differ.

Panels are a special kind of presentation. They take a lot (A LOT) more listening and a lot (A LOT) less 'center-stage' mentality. It is important to hold onto your 'great response' until the other panel members finish their response (don't cut people off) and it is best when your responses aren't all starting with 'to piggy-back on that...…' - show that you have a unique and valuable perspective that ADDS to the discussion. Also - really LISTEN to the question - I've seen so many Q&A/panelists answer to a word in a question without actually answering THE QUESTION the person presents, just because they are trying to force their expertise/focus instead of trying to be helpful with their answers.

Occasionally the moderator is on a bit of an ego trip so the organiser needs to be clear on their role. A good moderator picks up on the themes and responds with good questions that aren't all pre-prepared.

I agree with this perspective. I believe that thorough research is the foundation of a successful panel appearance. It not only helps you speak confidently and persuasively but also ensures you contribute valuable insights to the discussion. Anticipating questions and preparing responses is a smart approach to engage effectively with both fellow panelists and the audience. Well-researched and credible points can elevate the quality of the conversation.

Absolutely you should know the most current research on the topic, and, if possible, the seminal pieces. Equally important to research is being willing to say you don't know something or you don't have any research or best practice to back it up. Your audience will appreciate your honesty.

I would suggest that you should know the topic if you are speaking as an expert panellist. If I don't know the topic well, I will decline.

In my experience as a tech journalist, reporter and panel speaker, research should be 80% of your work, paying a meticulous attention to details about your topic and using notes 📝 can be a great tool for your preparation process. That’s also how you’re able to construct your own questions for an interview as a moderator. Another important aspect is to be able to be adaptable, resembling your thoughts is also part of the gameplay however, you can never be 100% sure of the audience’s questions or the other speakers’ responses.

Credibility flows from research. I have a “Rule of Three” regarding public speaking that requires me to be capable of sharing at least three specific facts. This enables other panelists to respond in a timely and relevant fashion while also educating the audience. There is such a thing as doing too much research. Audiences can be overwhelmed with too many facts. I always look for a brief story that illustrates my main point. Audiences connect with stories because they identify with the people involved. Story examples also provide context.

If possible, you might want to schedule a meeting with all of the panelists at once. This will allow you to talk through some of the perspectives. That will keep it more interesting for the audience instead of simply having one panelist agree with the other. Additionally, consider WHY they invited whom they invited. They are expecting your perspective to be slighty different, so consider what the difference is.

The most memorable panelist speakers identify what sets them apart from their fellow panelists, and succinctly share their POV with the audience in a way that illustrates that differentiation. For example, on a panel discussing AI, let's say there's an engineer, a CEO and a journalist. By telling a relatable story about a genuine challenge the company faced in bringing a piece of software to market, the CEO can make themselves relatable to the audience in a way that neither the journalist or engineer quite can.

Connecting with panelists beforehand can be a great way to uncover talking points that might not have come up on your research alone. Even a short 10 minute phone call can already give you a clear idea of what their main message is, and the points they are most excited about and comfortable discussing. However, over-preparation and long calls can take away the spontaneity of a great discussion. It's always best to leave some wiggle room and remind panelists that some on the spot questions may come up. That allows them to be on their toes and not to be completely reliant on rehearsed talking points.

I generally agree with the importance of connecting with co-panelists before the event. It can indeed help build rapport and effective collaboration. However, I would suggest a slight adjustment in the perspective on conflicts. While it's crucial to maintain professionalism and respect, healthy debates and differing opinions can enrich a panel discussion and make it more engaging for the audience. Embracing diverse perspectives can lead to a more dynamic and informative conversation.

Personally, I don’t think that you need to spend a lot of time connecting and pre-formulating approaches with fellow panel members. If you do, the effect can make the audience feel that the panel discussion is rehearsed, and that can tend to disengage them. I also believe that a completely consenting panel is a bit pointless and not very interactive. Healthy debate should be encouraged and differing perspectives are important to help people think creatively.

Succinctly answer the question but do not be afraid to include a fellow panellist if you feel they could add to the point. Don’t be afraid to engage the audience. All too often a panel will talk leaving little or no time for audience engagement or ask for questions when the topic or flow is over. Make eye contact with the audience as well as the moderator. Encourage audience interaction. Be yourself, a diverse panel is a stronger panel.

Completely agree, Mike. It’s all too easy to not engage the audience and create a unique and fulfilling experience. I like to challenge the panel and audience. My preference is equal listening and participation, with the right audience. The moderator shouldn’t be afraid to sense check and deviate from set plans, should the occasion call for it.

To engage the audience, don't ramble. Answer the question you're asked. If you're telling a story, make sure that it's short and it's clear why you told that particular story. People are more likely to listen when your communication is direct and succinct.

Great advice Anji! Too often the 'Q&A bit' is used as a time-filler when potentially it's your opportunity to test whether your audience have taken key points on board. To that end, it can be worth having a question or two of your own to put to your audience. Even senior people, used to putting their own opinion forward, seem to 'gum up' in a Q&A setting do something along the lines of 'How do you see X changing the way you work?' or 'Is there anything you've heard, that gives you pause for thought?' may help get things moving.

One memorable example was during a leadership conference where a panelist, a seasoned executive, used a very personal story to connect with the audience. As they discussed the topic of resilience, the panelist shared a challenging experience from their career and how they overcame it. They used vivid storytelling, genuine emotion, and even a touch of humor to convey the message. This not only made the point more relatable but also encouraged the audience to reflect on their own experiences. This interaction created a positive and dynamic atmosphere, making the panel not just informative but also highly engaging. It showcased how effective use of storytelling and audience interaction can elevate a panel discussion.

I disagree with not contradicting co-panelists. If you're being yourself, what are the odds that you agree with everything a co-panelist says? It's OK to disagree. People get differing perspectives that way.

Respecting co-panelists is crucial for a successful discussion. I've been in situations where one panelist dominated the conversation, and it can indeed make the atmosphere awkward. It not only diminishes the contributions of others but also limits the diversity of viewpoints. When one panelist monopolizes the discussion, it's essential for the moderator or fellow panelists to step in and ensure a more balanced conversation. Encouraging everyone to have their say and actively listening to each other creates a more inclusive and productive panel. It allows for a richer exchange of ideas and fosters a respectful and collegial dialogue, which is ultimately more beneficial to both the panelists and the audience.

A panel is a team assembled to discuss an issue. Chances are good that you will not agree with everything that is said. However, you must remain respectful to provide the audience with the opportunity to make up their own minds based on the facts, not the invective. I have a simple rule here: agree as far as you can, disagree only when you must.

If you know your panellist and can quote something they have accomplished or published to support one of their points it will go a long way to get a point across and you will elevate your impact in the process. Modesty is always pro.

Respect should be part of all professional interactions! You don’t have to agree with everyone but you should respect their right to a different perspective. If we were all the same, life would be really boring.

Agreed, authenticity is paramount. To be authentic, you need to be calm and centred. It is incredible what six or seven deep breaths can do (a common stage actor exercise) Humour is good, but be careful, as it has to be appropriate and never demeaning. Although sometimes self-depreciation can help make you approachable and real

Be yourself when no one else can be. True authenticity comes through and connects with the audience in huge ways. Making mistakes is ok, taking accountability is what's important here, be kind, be humble and be open to others opinions.

I really think this is key to anything you do in business and life. If you've been invited to join a panel, it's because of your unique experiences and expertise. You only need to be yourself.

🌟 Be Yourself During Panel Discussions The best way to shine in a panel discussion is to be yourself. Express your authentic voice and opinions, and avoid imitating others. Be honest, humble, and open-minded. Admit when you don't know something or make a mistake. Authenticity establishes your credibility and uniqueness.

Don't be afraid to ask other panelists questions to open up new perspectives and to learn more yourself. Additionally, recognize that this is a group effort, so when you're not speaking, don't think about what you're going to say next, rather listen to the other speakers as they speak and trust that the right questions will come to you. You're a team, and you'll be more memorable in a positive light as a team, as opposed to being negatively memorable because you were not part of the team.

My final thought is to think of “actionable” advice for the audience around the topic, if possible. It is easy to talk in theory, but if people can walk away with something they can use, it will make you a valid contributor.

It would be wonderful if there was a way to include this organically on LinkedIn instead of having to try to shoehorn it into a not-quite-appropriate section. Professional experience is much less confined to one type of participation (showing up to work and producing goods/services), and being able to highlight what we have participated in and those contributions would be much more helpful in telling the story of our engagement in our fields.