Learn to speak with clarity, confidence and competence.
Congratulations; you have been invited to contribute to a panel discussion.
You have been invited for a reason. Most probably because you have expertise in the topic area and the organisation that has invited you believes your insights and thought leadership will be a valuable asset to the programme and the discussion.
I am guessing you are keen to share your expertise and you also want to feel confident to speak in front of that eager audience waiting to hear from you.
If you haven’t had a lot of experience presenting or contributing to a panel discussion before, it can be a little scary and a little out of your comfort zone the first couple of times.
See below a few tips and strategies to help you navigate your panel experience.
Know the topic: Familiarise yourself with the panel topic. Review any provided materials and research additional relevant information to ensure you are well-informed and up to date.
Don’t talk to strangers: Consider who will be in the audience and what their interests and concerns might be. Arrive early and chat to attendees to get to know them a little more before the panel begins.
Listen carefully: Pay close attention to the question being asked. Ensure you fully understand it before responding. If needed, ask for clarification. You can do this by asking a clarifying question.
Speak with clarity and brevity: Keep your answers succinct and to the point. Avoid rambling or straying off-topic. A clear and concise response is more impactful. The moderator will come back to you more often if your answers are concise and relevant.
Add insight: Using ‘and’ instead of ‘but’ is a great way to add insight without negating what another panel member offers.
Use examples and stories: Illustrate your points with relevant examples and personal stories. This makes your answers more relatable and memorable. Stories are how we make sense of world.
Be human: If you don’t know the answer to a question, it’s okay to admit it. Offer to find out the information later or suggest a resource that might help. You could ask another panel member or even the audience, if appropriate. Authenticity and honesty builds trust.
Engage with everyone: Be aware of your posture. Make eye contact with the moderator, other panel members and the audience. Acknowledge and respect other viewpoints, and build on other responses.
Use the power pause: There is no need to rush. Take the time you need to think about the question and your answer before speaking. A thoughtful response is better than a rushed response.
Ask for the questions: You can ask for the set of questions prior so you can rehearse some answers. However, do not respond exactly the same each time. Practice saying the same things a number of ways so it doesn’t sound too rehearsed. It needs to sound like a conversation not a speech.
It’s not about you: No-one is thinking about how perfect you are. The audience is interested in your insights, beliefs and experiences.
Enjoy the experience: Contributing to a panel is an opportunity to serve others and showcase your expertise. Enjoy the experience, relax, have some fun and let your personality shine too.
The more you participate in panel discussions, the more relaxed and enjoyable they will become.
You don’t have to wait to be invited either, you can offer!
