Discussion Panel: How to be a Good Monitor. Part 3
This month I’m returning to the topic of panel discussions and focusing the spotlight on the person who, if doing their job properly, makes the panel tick like a metronome – the moderator.
In previous sessions we’ve looked at what makes a good panel discussion and how to stand out on a panel so part 3 examines the qualities that make a good host. It’s a role that should not be taken lightly, and anyone thinking that being a panel host means just babysitting the talent… please take your seat in the audience!
I silently wince when I hear that a partner in a firm will be ‘stepping in’ as moderator – as if chairing a panel was one something anyone can do. The moderator should be prioritised as a key position.
What makes a good moderator? Well, to begin with good moderator will park their ego for the session and acknowledge that this is not the X Factor and their role does not require them to outshine their guests.
One of the moderator’s roles is that of a guide for the session. Once the guests have been introduced, it’s the moderator’s job to give the audience a hint of the direction the panel is headed and shepherd the flow of the event. This is done through questions, making sure the panel contributes equally and ensuring the audience stays engaged.
It’s easy to tell who’s done their work when the introduction isn’t just a roll out of the same guest bios as are written in the programme. Good bio craft is another article in itself, but some moderators will feel the need to include everything and to paraphrase Voltaire, ‘if you want to bore your audience, tell them everything’. The audience wants a concise poignant glossary, not a CV. A good moderator will give them that.
This leads on to the next sign of a good moderator – one who is always prepared. They will be the first and last person to engage with the audience and as such need to both set the scene and wrap up the event to the satisfaction of guests and audience alike. Thus, while introduction and conclusion should be brief these segments should also be thoughtful, engaging and illuminating.
They will have also done their research around the panellists’ backgrounds to find areas that speakers specialise in, areas where they may share common ground and areas where they may disagree. Meeting all the guests, however briefly, before the panel begins will ensure everyone is on the same page and also serve as an icebreaker to start building rapport
With preparation comes insight and therefore a higher calibre of questions and a more defined route map for the session. Bad moderation is evident in weak questions – often just repeated to each guest – inviting boring monologues which cover the same ground. Good moderation avoids plain yes and no options, always seeks to know how or why and is ready to adjust questions to points which emerge from the discussion.
Most panel guests will have done this before and be comfortable in front of an audience but it’s a fact of panel life that some panellists are louder than others. A skilled moderator will keep the more vocal in check, knowing when to strategically (but politely) interrupt and bring other panellists into the conversation. By the same token they will ease more shy speakers in with direct questions that play to their speciality. Watch good moderators (Fiona Bruce on BBC Question Time is a good place to start) and listen to the way they move the conversation on and stop guests from dominating with particular phrases (‘for the purposes of time I’m going to bring in…’ and so on) and body language (that slightly raised hand, palm facing down, roughly at 45 degrees) letting everyone know, in the politest possible way, who’s in charge.
Many panels will conclude with a Q+A although there is the option to accept audience questions throughout the discussion. This spontaneous aspect (the format pre-agreed with panellists and well managed) can add a different dimension to a panel although it does need a firm hand to keep the discussion in the zone.
A good panel moderator is a good listener. Yes you will need to have your questions prepared, but allow yourself the freedom to react to what panellists say and bring in others on certain points that may not be on your question list. Try not to rigidly stick to that list and simply read them off robotically. Have pen and paper with you to note down what people say so that you can refer back to particular points of interest or memorable phrases, not least at the end of the event itself which will make you look extremely professional. Look at people, engage and be interested.
As with most things, practice is the often the difference when it comes to presenting oneself as a confident (and competent) moderator. One final tip, try to enjoy it. Sessions are far more memorable when it looks as if the host is happy to be there and enthusiasm (just as a lack of it) will certainly filter through to both guest and audience.
