11 Steps To Impress In Any Panel Discussion | Media Training
Summary
TLDRIn this video, Fia Fassbinder of Moxie Talk demystifies panel discussions, comparing them to jazz and emphasizing the importance of preparation. She offers tips for panelists to build their brand, establish authority, and engage audiences by being audience-centric. Fia covers the essentials of preparation, including researching, understanding the panel's aim, meeting fellow panelists, and practicing responses. She also highlights the value of storytelling and having a clear 'big idea' to convey. The video is a comprehensive guide for anyone looking to excel in panel discussions.
Takeaways
- 😌 Start by changing your mindset from panic to viewing a panel discussion as an opportunity to showcase your expertise and build your brand.
- 🎷 Compare panel discussions to a jazz concert where improvisation and collaboration are key, requiring preparation but allowing for spontaneity.
- 🔍 Do your research and homework to ensure you are well-prepared for the panel, including understanding the audience and the context of the discussion.
- 🗣️ Connect with the moderator and fellow panelists to understand their perspectives and to prepare for a collaborative and engaging discussion.
- 🎙️ Practice your answers and refine your messaging to ensure clarity, conciseness, and confidence when speaking during the panel.
- ⏰ Be mindful of time limits and stay on track to respect the panel format and the other participants' time to speak.
- 🎥 Consider the medium of the panel discussion, whether it's in-person or virtual, and prepare accordingly for camera or stage presence.
- 💡 Identify your 'big idea' or main message that you want to convey during the panel to establish a clear and memorable impression.
- 📖 Incorporate storytelling into your panel contributions to make your points relatable, engaging, and easier for the audience to remember.
- 👀 Stay engaged even when you are not speaking, as the audience will form opinions about you based on your reactions and body language.
- 🛡 Prepare graceful saves for unexpected questions, and don't be afraid to admit when you don't know the answer, redirecting to more knowledgeable panelists.
Q & A
What is the main theme of the video script?
-The main theme of the video script is about how to effectively prepare for and participate in a panel discussion, comparing the experience to a jazz show where improvisation is key.
Why does the speaker compare panel discussions to a jazz show?
-The speaker compares panel discussions to a jazz show because both involve a spontaneous and collaborative interaction among individuals with different backgrounds and expertise, much like musicians improvising on stage.
What is the first step suggested when selected as a panelist?
-The first step suggested is to change the mindset from panic to seeing the opportunity to build one's brand, establish authority in the industry, and provide valuable insights to the audience.
What does the speaker mean by being 'audience-centric' in a panel discussion?
-Being 'audience-centric' means focusing on the needs and interests of the audience, ensuring that the panel discussion is engaging, informative, and memorable for them.
Why is it important to meet the moderator before a panel discussion?
-Meeting the moderator is important because they determine the key questions asked and the role each panelist plays in the group, which helps in shaping one's actions and preparation for the panel.
What is the significance of knowing fellow panelists before the panel discussion?
-Knowing fellow panelists helps in understanding their expertise and expected contributions, allowing for smooth transitions and effective passing of questions during the discussion, as well as preventing negative interactions.
What is the advice given for handling controversial questions during a panel discussion?
-The advice given is to prepare to gracefully dodge or defer controversial questions by practicing answers that redirect the conversation away from contentious topics and towards a more constructive dialogue.
Why is storytelling considered crucial in a panel discussion?
-Storytelling is crucial because it helps to relate and resonate with the audience, making complex ideas more accessible and engaging through personal anecdotes, experiences, or relevant narratives.
What should a panelist do if they are faced with a question they cannot answer?
-A panelist should prepare a graceful save, such as admitting they do not know the answer and suggesting that another panelist might be better equipped to respond, thus maintaining credibility and avoiding embarrassment.
How can a panelist ensure they remain engaged even when not actively speaking?
-A panelist can ensure engagement by maintaining eye contact with the speaker, nodding in agreement at relevant points, and demonstrating active listening, as the audience forms opinions based on non-verbal cues as well.
What is the final piece of advice given for panelists in the video script?
-The final advice is to enjoy the discussion, as it is an opportunity to share knowledge, grow one's brand and reputation, and provide a memorable experience for the audience, all of which can be achieved with proper preparation.
Outlines
🎶 Introduction to Panel Discussions: A Jazz-like Experience
The script begins by likening panel discussions to jazz shows, emphasizing the spontaneity and talent display involved. The host, Fia Fassbinder, introduces the topic and aims to guide viewers on how to excel in panel discussions. She compares the preparation and performance in such events to the way musicians approach a jazz concert, with a foundation of understanding but room for improvisation. The goal is to create an engaging and collaborative experience akin to the energy of jazz music.
🎤 Embracing the Opportunity: From Panic to Preparation
This paragraph focuses on reframing the initial panic of being selected as a panelist into seeing it as an opportunity. It discusses the importance of building one's brand, establishing authority in the industry, and providing valuable insights to the audience. The host encourages viewers to change their mindset and prepare thoroughly for panel discussions, which includes doing research, hiring a media coach if necessary, and planning clear messaging to stand out.
🎷 Preparation and Collaboration: The Keys to a Memorable Panel
The host delves into the preparation process for a successful panel discussion, emphasizing the need to know the moderator and fellow panelists to ensure smooth transitions and avoid negative interactions. She advises on the importance of meeting with the organizer to understand the panel's aim and the audience's nature. Additionally, she suggests getting to know other panelists to facilitate effective collaboration and to be prepared to pass questions to more knowledgeable peers when needed.
🎹 Crafting Your Message: Preparation and Delivery
The paragraph discusses the importance of preparing content for the panel discussion, including anticipating questions and practicing responses to ensure clarity and conciseness. It stresses the need to stay on time and to have a coherent message. The host also touches on the idea of being ready to handle controversial questions gracefully, and the importance of practicing to ensure that one's message is delivered effectively and within the allotted time.
🎥 Adapting to the Format: In-Person vs. Virtual Panel Discussions
This section addresses the differences between in-person and virtual panel discussions and the need to prepare for both formats. It suggests considering the setup and possibly hiring a media coach to help with on-camera presentation. The host also emphasizes the importance of having a clear 'big idea' or main message that defines one's contribution to the panel and can be easily communicated to others.
📚 Storytelling and Graceful Saves: Enhancing Your Panel Presence
The script highlights the power of storytelling in engaging the audience and making panel discussions memorable. It advises preparing stories that are relevant to the panel's theme to connect with the audience on an emotional level. Additionally, it discusses the importance of preparing for unexpected questions by having graceful saves or deflections, and the need to stay engaged even when not actively speaking to maintain a positive impression on the audience.
🎉 Conclusion: Enjoying the Panel Discussion Experience
In conclusion, the host encourages viewers to enjoy the panel discussion experience and to use the provided tips for preparation to grow their brand and reputation. She emphasizes the importance of engagement and the potential for a memorable audience experience through proper preparation. The host invites viewers to share the video with others who might benefit and to subscribe to the channel for more content on presentations and media coaching.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Panel Discussion
💡Improvisation
💡Authority Figure
💡Audience-Centric
💡Preparation
💡Media Coach
💡Big Idea
💡Storytelling
💡Graceful Save
💡Engagement
Highlights
The initial reaction to being invited to a panel discussion can be panic, but it's essential to view it as an opportunity for brand building and showcasing expertise.
Panel discussions are compared to jazz shows, emphasizing the importance of improvisation and the collaborative nature of the conversation.
Moxie Talk aims to guide individuals through the process of preparing for a panel discussion, ensuring a positive and engaging experience.
Panel discussions involve a group of professionals engaging in a conversation, similar to eavesdropping on a meeting of experts.
Best practices for panel discussions include showcasing unique personality and perspective while maintaining authenticity.
When selected as a panelist, it's crucial to reframe your mindset from panic to seeing it as an opportunity for professional growth.
A panel discussion is an opportunity to provide valuable insights, establish authority, and engage the audience.
Being audience-centric is key in panel discussions, meaning the focus should be on the audience's experience and engagement.
Preparation for a panel discussion involves research, hiring a media coach if needed, and clear messaging.
Understanding the role of the moderator and the aim of the discussion is essential for effective panel preparation.
Meeting fellow panelists beforehand can help in managing the conversation flow and avoiding unnecessary pressure during the panel.
Practicing and preparing for potential questions can help in delivering concise and confident answers during the panel.
Staying on time during a panel discussion is crucial to respecting other panelists and maintaining audience engagement.
Considering the format of the panel, whether in-person or virtual, is important for tailoring your presentation style.
Having a clear understanding of your 'big idea' or main message helps in shaping the audience's perception of your contribution.
Storytelling is a powerful tool in panel discussions, allowing for emotional connection and memorable communication.
Preparing for unexpected questions with graceful saves can alleviate nerves and maintain professionalism.
Staying engaged even when not speaking is important, as the audience forms opinions based on your reactions and body language.
Enjoying the discussion and embracing the opportunity to share knowledge and grow one's brand is the ultimate goal of participating in a panel.
Transcripts
is the first thing you do when you find
out you have a panel discussion is to
panic and hope you don't get called on a
lot well stay tuned
we've got you covered we're going to
talk about everything you need to know
for a panel discussion
[Music]
hey everyone i'm fia fassbinder and
welcome to moxie talk
where we help you find your voice share
your message and
lead with confidence today we are
talking about
panel discussions now i like to compare
panel discussions to a jazz show where
there's some
improvisation if you've ever been to a
jazz concert where they improvise
you know that the musicians show up with
a common understanding of the music
and what they're doing the vibe that
they want
but what happens on stage in that night
is mostly
unrehearsed it's spontaneous it's just
in the moment and it's actually a
display of talent
of different backgrounds of different
personalities as the music comes
together
and sometimes the only thing that the
jazz musicians memorize
are the chords and everything else is
improvised this is the same as
a panel discussion if you've been
invited to be a panelist
or you are moderating a panel discussion
yourself
we're going to cover everything you need
to know to have an exciting
collaborative somewhat spontaneous
experience that we can compare to jazz
music
now here at moxie we've helped countless
speakers prepare for panels
in every industry under the sun both on
camera and off
and we're excited to share what we've
learned with you today
first of all what is a panel discussion
what
qualifies as a panel discussion a panel
discussion
calls for a group of professionals and
experts in their field
to take the stage together and engage in
a conversation
imagine that uh you were eavesdropping
on a meeting
and everyone else in the audience was
like invisible
what would you hear if these experts
were just in a conversation
bouncing off ideas vibing together in
the boardroom
that is exactly what a panel discussion
gives us
a taste of it's experts collaborating
conversing and having a conversation
bouncing off
ideas and creating discussion
and energy in the room just like
improvised jazz there are a
ton of different ways to deliver an
effective panel discussion
that show your unique personality your
unique flavor
your unique perspective on the topic and
bring out your
unique and authentic speaker persona
so we're going to talk about those best
practices are you guys ready to
give a stellar panel discussion
[Music]
okay let's start from when you've been
selected as a panelist
instead of panicking like you used to do
we're going to change the way you think
i want you now to think to yourself that
this is an
awesome opportunity it is an awesome
opportunity i know you're thinking no
way fia this is not i'm in a sheer panic
but if you really think about it this is
your chance to
build your company's brand cement
yourself as an authority figure in your
industry
give your audience valuable insights to
walk away with so that
you are thought as the thought leader
the subject matter expert in your
industry so if we can change your
thinking
first and foremost from sheer panic to
thinking of this as an opportunity that
is step number one
[Music]
so we talked about the opportunity you
have when you get in front of an
audience for a panel
to build valuable insights to walk away
with
to build your company or brand to cement
yourself as an authority figure in your
industry
and to make sure that your audience is
engaged and listening
pop quiz which of these things do you
think is more important if you guessed
correctly
they're all important if you don't have
all of these things in your panel
discussion then
your audience isn't engaged they're not
informed
there aren't they aren't going to invest
another second of mental energy
listening to you
and listening to you talk about your
brand they won't remember you
as an expert in your field it's really
all about the audience and at moxie we
call this being
audience-centric which means it wouldn't
be
anything without the audience we really
need to think from the seats
and not the stage and what that means is
if you think about this in comparison to
jazz or the improv
and you watch the musicians before a
performance they
tune their instruments they they play
a little bit together they get ready
they get warmed up
so that they are focused they're ready
to give the audience a great show
and that's really what we need to do
when we give a panel discussion is
create a special place
for our audience and we want to
contribute to this panel discussion in a
way that excites the audience brains and
engages them
in the same way a good piece of jazz
music would
this will make sure that you're
memorable or as we like to say
sticky so how do you do that
so now that i've gotten your buy-in on
how important it is to both
engage and inform your audience in a
panel discussion
let's talk about preparation this may
not be a shocker to you
and i realize it's easier said than done
but you can't just show up to a panel
discussion like it's another
unstructured and off-the-cuff meeting
there
is some homework that you need to do to
make sure that it goes off without a
hitch
and you need to do everything you can to
prepare
all the ways up to the moment before you
go on stage
so that you make yourself stand out you
make a huge difference in the way people
remember you
and the way people perceive you there
are a couple ways you can do this
do your research super important and
we'll talk about how to do that in a
second
you can hire a media coach and we'll
talk about how to do that at the end of
this
vlog plan your messaging
so that it's really crystallized and
clear
and will give you an edge and help you
stand out now
these are crucial steps in the
preparation process
[Music]
all right so now you know it's important
to do your research it's important to
hire a media coach if you need it
the next step in the preparation process
is to know
your moderator first priority if
possible
is to do a meet and greet with a
moderator they will determine
the key questions you're asked the role
your play in the group
so the sooner you get in touch with them
the better now a lot of
moderators are really busy if you
can't get a hold of the moderator try to
get a hold of one of the organizers the
person that asked you to do
this panel and try to book a meeting
with that person
or anyone on the team that has some
intel
about the panel and can give you some
information about the aim of the
discussion
the audience a broad-based
uh overview of what they want you to cut
to cover the nature of the audience
this will all help you shape your
actions
when you prepare for your panel
[Music]
now that you've had the opportunity to
either meet the moderator or the
organizers
the next step is to meet your fellow
panelists
you might not be able to get a hold of
these people too
but to the extent you can talk with them
or
find them on linkedin and read their
bios or
watch some videos of them the more
personal contact you have with these
people the better
and here's why you will not be the
expert on
everything thrown to you in this panel
if you have a
general picture of what the other
panelists are going to talk about
about their expertise you'll have a
beautiful
ball pass to them during the panel
and you can dodge any unnecessary
pressure by actually passing those
questions to them
so this is exactly like jazz right there
should be
a smooth transition between the
different instruments there's
collaboration between the members
than the musicians you're also looking
to prevent
provoking negative interactions now i'd
love to say that all panel members are
you know wonderfully kind people who are
going to put you on a pedestal and make
you shine
but this isn't always the case so
i'm going to give you an example we
worked with a client who was talking
about
climate change and bringing climate
change
this was a huge panel discussion at a
large organization there were thousands
of people and
hundreds of businesses that were present
in this panel
this is not the best time to
share your opinion that is controversial
in front of all of these strangers now
during this panel discussion
unfortunately my client was put on the
spot by another panelist
who brought up a very controversial
idea that he had been a proponent of but
because he had watched some videos of
this panelist before
he was ready he knew this panelist style
he knew that this panelist might try to
engage in some debate and he was ready
to
deflect that question so great to know
your other panelists and make sure
you're prepared
that way
[Music]
all right you've spoken with your
organizers you've spoken with
fellow panelists or you've read about
them and watched some videos
so your next step is to prepare to
contribute
to this panel discussion now it's
impossible
to prepare for every single question
that you might be asked
unless you get the questions ahead of
time you can prepare for a few small
things to present when it's your turn to
speak
you probably if you can't get a list of
questions you can probably come
up with a pretty good idea of what
you are going to ask you know you might
not be exactly on point
but enough that you can prepare you can
role play your answers you can say them
a few times out loud
so when you get asked that question even
if it's not exactly the same
you'll answer with confidence as a
panelist you want to make sure to
standpoint you do not want to ramble you
do not want to go
circumvent the issue you do not want to
go on this you know derailed path and
derail the conversation you need to
standpoint so
this is important this means you have to
practice so that you can crystallize
your message you can crystallize your
answers
and make sure if nothing else
you stay on time and if you've been
allotted a certain amount of time to
talk please do not
go over there is nothing more annoying
and obnoxious that a panelist
that just thinks that they can take the
stage and take the time
away from the other panelists on the
stage
really make sure to stay on time and the
only way
to make sure you do this and you get
your entire message
out in time is to practice
and make sure that you prepare a really
coherent message
make sure you're ready to dodge or defer
gracefully if you're asked any
controversial questions this is exactly
what my client did
practice the answer to defer
the negative energy and the
controversial questions away from him
and make sure that the panel discussion
was you know going on a certain track
and not
down a rabbit hole of controversy now
each time you do this and each time you
prepare
try to layer in the different ways
you're gonna going to prepare maybe the
first
preparation rehearsal is just your
content the
the content of the questions that you
think you'll be asked
maybe the second rehearsal is now to
crystallize that message and make sure
you
stay on time and then i would say
after that really think about the zinger
questions you're going to be asked or
maybe ask
what are the controversial questions if
any how will you
handle them and i i know this sounds
really labor intensive but remember this
is not a monologue this is not a
solo presentation you will have other
people to join in the conversations and
you'll probably
be asked half of the things you think
you'll be asked but
it's important to be ready
[Music]
so now that you've prepared your content
you've crystallized your message you've
thought about what you're going to be
asked
it's important to spend a little bit of
time thinking about
are you going to present live in front
of an in-person audience only
or will this be on camera is this a
virtual panel where you'll be on camera
and that is a whole different beast and
a lot of people
are more comfortable in person than on
camera and a lot of people are more
comfortable on camera than in person so
make sure to think about both
and prepare for whichever it is to you
for you
we have a ton of different videos on
both
how to prepare and be comfortable in a
large stage
panel as well as how to be comfortable
on camera
but you want to think about this and
think about the setup
and if you need to hire a media coach
that can help you
learn to present on camera with
confidence because for some of us
this is a really new skill
[Music]
you've thought about the content you've
thought about your message
you've thought about your on camera or
on stage delivery what's next is to
think about what is your big idea
what is your main message what is your
brand
now when i work with ted speakers we
spend a lot of time
on what is your big idea right that's
why
ted talks about ideas worth spreading
it's important that you know what your
big idea is because that will form
everybody's
perception of you if nothing else if you
were in an elevator
before the panel and someone asked hey
what's your
expertise or what are you going to talk
about you should be able to answer them
very easily it's really important
that you understand what you contribute
to this panel as a whole your moderator
may or may not be a subject matter
expert
on this so it's important that you
understand what you bring to the table
and the next best thing you can do is to
prepare some content that makes it
in simple terms very clear who you are
what you do what you contribute to this
panel
your you know what you do for a living
your industry
how you're trying to change the field
or provide a solution or uh highlight
trends in the field
very clear and simple you should know
what you are
going to contribute to that panel
discussion and you should be able to
tell somebody in one sentence
you might need to think about in order
to do that some themes of the panel like
what is the theme of this panel and
what is your role in that discussion are
you bringing
data to life are you highlighting new
trends
are you providing a solution to a
problem
what is the theme and how are you
contributing to that
theme i know it might seem daunting to
think about
the overarching theme and how you
contribute to that theme
but it's really not that difficult just
be
prepared to break down in clear and
concise terms
your message think of this as a verbal
resume
think of it as you know you're trying to
apply for a job and you want to be
understood and you
want your future employer to understand
what you contribute to that company it's
really basically the same
unprepared panelists they shrink away
from saying
anything that will make them stand out
and they
ramble with no direction now that is not
you
you are now a seasoned panelist and you
are prepared
to tell your audience who you are what
you contribute to that panel discussion
and how you can help
[Music]
next up in the preparation process is
definitely
storytelling it's crucial
to drop in a few stories remember that
we relate to stories we resonate with
stories stories are the
fastest track to help your audience
learn new ideas to bridge
knowledge to really understand
emotionally
what you're trying to say to bring data
to life
they're packed with relevant information
symbols analogies they're also the
easiest way to hold people's attention
and i've done
several blogs on storytelling so if
you're thinking i have no idea how to
tell stories
what stories to tell where to tell them
i'd consider
watching one of those videos but it is
not a waste of time to prepare a few
stories you
most likely will pull at least one or
two
out of your pocket whether they're
relative anecdotes or
first-hand experience or something from
a
discussion that happened emphasize on
relevant you don't want to just tell
stories for stories sake but if you have
some stories that are relevant to this
panel discussion
be prepared to tell them
[Music]
now if what makes you the most nervous
about a panel discussion
like all of us is the unknown you
may want to consider some graceful saves
if you are faced with those questions
you can't
answer because you weren't prepared i'm
not talking about the zingers that you
were prepared for that you know how to
deflect
the the controversial question i'm
talking about a question that you
say oh oh i had no idea this question is
coming
your heart starts to race your mind
starts to race and you know
that you do not have an answer prepare
a graceful say it will make you feel
so much more comfortable if the question
clearly
was meant to be provocative or it's
something that
you just simply don't know the answer to
just admit it
it's as simple as saying i don't know
but i believe
my fellow panelists knows more about it
than i do
and hand the question over there's no
lost shame in this there i mean there's
no shame in doing this
your modesty and your ego will not be
bruised and i guarantee you that the
other panelists will appreciate the
props
so you're getting the the idea here that
preparation is key
right you've now prepared your message
your content you're prepared to stay on
time
you've prepared your answers you've
prepared answers to zinger questions
you've prepared answers to questions
that you don't know
there are some really clever ways to
reshape and re-guide
the panel presentation if you are really
out of your comfort zone and i highly
recommend that you
like everything else prepare ahead of
time
try those on for size feel out for
yourself which of these sentences
feels most comfortable to you and don't
be afraid to use it if you need it
[Music]
now this might seem like way out of um
nobody needs this i shouldn't even be
talking about this but i can't tell you
how many panel discussions i've seen
where the other panelists completely
check out whether it's nerves or
boredom don't check out
if you're thinking oh well i shared my
points and i've used up my time and now
the rest of the program
squarely rests on the shoulder of the
other panelists right
no you cannot drift off remember
the audience can see you even if you
aren't speaking and they
are forming an opinion of you while
you're sitting there so whether you're
checking out or scowling or
distracted they are watching you so make
sure that you
set an example and whoever's speaking
you're looking at them you're nodding at
the points that strike you
and you are showing this audience that
you are
engaged so we've talked about
everything soup to nuts how to prepare
for a panel discussion
and the most important thing is that you
enjoy
the discussion each of you if you're
chosen to be on a panel has a chance to
share what you know grow your brand grow
your reputation
give your audience a memorable
experience and all it takes
is a little preparation all right
everyone i hope you found
this video to be valuable and helpful if
you did
and you know somebody a friend or
colleague that would benefit
from listening to this or watching it
please feel free to
share it and if you liked it make sure
to like it
subscribe to the moxie channel so that
you get
tons of videos on everything soup to
nuts with preparation
presentations media coaching and don't
forget to
check out moxieinstitute.com so you can
see
everything that we have to offer
including
media trainers if you are looking to
develop your panel discussion skills and
create a
message that is unique to you and really
makes you shine
check us out until next time thanks so
much for watching
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