How to Stand Out on a Discussion Panel. Part 2

We’ve all been there… sitting through a panel discussion where one guest drones on with vague insights, another rattles off jargon-heavy monologues, and the rest simply nod along. But then, there’s that one panellist, the person who captures the room. They’re engaging, relatable, and make you think.

So, what makes the difference?

In my previoius article on this topic, I discussed why some panels work and some don’t. The best ones feel like thought-provoking conversations, while the worst feel like recycled LinkedIn posts. Let’s not forget that the audience is there in the first place is because the guests are the main attraction.

Standing out on a panel inevitably enhances your professional reputation. If you are identified as the expert in the room your aura will glow beyond the auditorium floor. It may lead to more gigs (whether you want them or not is a different matter), will certainly lead to more views on your profile page, and may well also lead to your name being dropped in reference to interesting projects in the future.

Without sounding too mercenary, standing out on a panel is good for business and the rules of engagement are simple.

• Be prepared: Turn up on time and connect with the moderator before the panel, preferably in a briefing call at the very least.  A good moderator seeking to effectively manage a panel will always appreciate having a few minutes to meet the guests and briefly discuss the format, themes and topics of interest.
• Be authentic: You don’t need to be the loudest voice on the panel, you just need to be a real voice that resonates. Audiences connect with authenticity, not rehearsed soundbites or rolling out the same tired old corporate phrases. As ever, I recommend mining your own experiences, using anecdotes which may tackle a theme but are delivered from a human perspective, rather than a theoretical base.
• Show, don’t tell: This advice builds on the last point. Nothing loses an audience faster than vague generalities. If you want to be memorable, make your insights just that – insightful. These can include solutions to client issues, using insider knowledge to provide insights, observations about trends and future industry directions.
• Communicate to the audience: You may be a leader in your field, but if you can’t communicate to your audience your insights are not much use to anyone. If you are an expert appearing in front of a more general audience adjust your language. Simplify and make the effort to ensure your content is widely understandable and read the audience to check.
• Park the hubris: One of the biggest mistakes panel guests make is to treat the panel like a soap box. This usually rolls out in a series of disconnected mini-speeches or monologues/diatribes which roll on forever and do not land well.
• Be part of the team: Never forget that a panel is a team sport and the magic happens when guests engage with each other. It’s this interaction which an audience will be receptive to. Being a good listener, name checking fellow panellists and referring specifically to points they’ve made are all part of this process.
• Body language: Lastly, look like you want to be there. Sit up straight and make eye contact with the audience, host and other guests. And don’t forget to smile!