The role of a panel moderator is fraught with pitfalls. These are three of the most common complaints that surface in our sessions on panel and moderator skills.
- Setting the wrong tone – starting with low energy or with a rambling introduction makes it OK for the panellists to speak the same way. A sharp start raises the bar for all.
- Letting one panellist dominate – the audience wants to hear a range of voices and the combination of a dominant panellist with a weak moderator is a huge turn off. Moderators need to have the confidence to enforce good ground rules.
- Ignoring the audience – industry panels often involve a handful of people who know each other. But letting a clubby atmosphere set in risks alienating the audience. A good moderator serves the audience first and the panel second.
Contact us if you think we can help prepare your executives for a panel event