Why do some panel discussions work… and some don’t? Part 1
What are your thoughts on panel discussions? As we all know, sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t and in this first article of three I’m going to take a closer look at what works and what doesn’t.
I spend a lot of time coaching people on how to present. A little like a tennis match, presenting is about two entities – you and the audience – and often the biggest battle is with yourself, about being in the right mental space to deliver.
On the other hand, a panel while still a presentation has a different dynamic. One that’s more like a team game. There are constituent components, but a successful panel relies on them coming together in one joined up performance. A panel is therefore built on the sum of its parts, and this is frequently the difference between a panel that works and one that doesn’t.
Sorry to say this, but many panels are thrown together without enough thought. They are a collection of speakers, who may also be giving individual talks, at an event. Yes, they may well be experts in their field, but getting the best out of them requires careful planning, good dynamics and an engaged audience.
In the case of setting up a panel, a solid base is needed and the three central pillars of this are; setting the topic, researching the panellists, and finding a good host (moderator). Panel discussions typically last up to an hour and a moderator needs to be so much more than just a ‘person who asks questions’. Too many organisations underestimate this role. Over the years I’ve seen far too many sessions where someone has been thrown in to act as host, or a volunteer has been roped in at the last minute.
The moderator is the driver of a panel. They are in control of the brake, the accelerator and finding the right gear to take the conversation where it needs to go. Ideally, they will have good material to play with – an engaging topic and pertinent questions will add value and bring out the strengths of the panellists.
When panels work, there is the fizz of interaction between the panellists and a connection with the audience. In this respect, good panels have more of a comedy club (or similar entertainment dynamic) feel, in that the experience feels shared in the entire room (participants and audience).
When panels don’t work, it’s like seeing a handful of strangers awkwardly hanging out on a stage. This is made infinitely worse when chaired by a host who simply asks questions, the same ones, of each panellist. The result is (often) a repetition in the content of the reply and a sense that the whole session is motivated by the ticking of the clock and seeing out the hour.
The audience wants to be engaged. It has better things to do than see out a tedious hour they will never get back from their busy lives. They are aching to bask in the glow of wisdom emanating from the experts assembled on stage. A good host will find the right gear to open up the conversation and invite debate, a good mix of participants will provide the opportunity and flashpoints to make the session stimulating.
Panels are often deemed the easy option, but pulling off a good panel is definitely not an easy task. Next month we will look at what being a good panel guest looks like.
