What do you do if your panel discussion lacks collaboration with other speakers?

It's important to meet the panelists at least 10-15 mins before and let them know how excited you are to collaborate. Set the scene, and remind them how much the audience loves to hear different perspectives. Last but not least, I like to make it known how fun this is going to be.

Think of a panel discussion as a team rowing a boat. The dynamics of the panel are the currents and winds that guide the boat’s journey. If the team isn’t collaborating, the boat may drift off course or even capsize. Observing body language and engagement levels is like watching the winds and currents. Open, attentive panelists are favorable winds pushing the boat forward, while disinterested or reserved panelists are choppy waters disrupting the journey. As the moderator, you can steer the boat back on course by encouraging participation. Ask questions that spark interest, acknowledge all contributions, and ensure everyone feels included. As a mindful moderator, you can foster collaboration in any panel discussion.

If you can achieve a conversation that creates key points for the audience, you have done a great job as a moderator. Find out the transition points which help you connect to the content in between. Also, consider doing preparation and setting of questions properly in sync with what a speaker can answer. sometimes you can pretend, and sometimes you get a chance to speak to the panelist, both work.

Inclusion is the cornerstone of a successful panel discussion. It’s about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and heard. As a moderator, fostering inclusion is your responsibility. Actively inviting input from quieter panelists is a great start. Eye contact, open-ended questions, and genuine interest in their perspectives can encourage them to share their insights. This not only enriches the discussion but also creates a supportive atmosphere. It’s about balancing the conversation and preventing dominant personalities from monopolizing the discussion. Remember, every voice matters and every perspective adds value. So, let’s foster inclusion and make every panel discussion a success.

In the world of panel discussions, the art of balance is key. As a moderator, it’s your role to ensure that all voices are heard. When collaboration seems to falter, consider these strategies: 👉 Proactive Planning: Before the discussion, set clear expectations about the importance of shared dialogue and equal participation. 👉 Active Listening: Show genuine interest in each panelist’s input. This encourages others to do the same. 👉 Questioning Techniques: Use open-ended questions to invite less vocal panelists into the conversation. 👉 Summarizing and Bridging: Summarize points made and bridge them to the next speaker. This can help maintain the flow of the discussion.

As a moderator, I like to ask a question to a certain person and then make sure to ask the next question to someone else. Before the session, I will tell the panelists how much I encourage collaboration, we don't all have to agree and that's what makes it fun. Therefore, if they have something to say to make sure they take themselves off mute if it's virtual, or if in-person, feel free to step up and go for it. I don't mind being interrupted for the good of a great discussion.

An engaged audience is a captivated audience. By making them active participants, you not only enrich the discussion but also create a memorable experience. Here are some strategies to engage them: 🗣️ Audience Polls: Use live polls to gather audience opinions. This can spark discussions among panelists. 🗣️ Breakout Sessions: Small group discussions can stimulate more personal interactions and bring forth diverse viewpoints. 🗣️ Social Media Engagement: Leverage social media platforms for real-time questions and comments. This can extend the discussion beyond the physical room. 🗣️ Interactive Tools: Use digital tools like word clouds or live sketching to visualize audience input and foster a sense of collective contribution.

Imagine you're at a party where everyone's talking in small groups. To liven things up, you might introduce a fun game that gets everyone interacting. That's the idea behind "adapting flexibly" in a panel discussion! If the conversation feels stuck, be the one to break the ice. You could ask open-ended questions that invite different perspectives, or even propose a quick thought experiment related to the topic. This can gently nudge the panelists towards a more collaborative exchange of ideas.

Preparation is key. Aligning before the panel to exchange ideas on content results in a better experience for the panelists and a better delivery of information. Planning sessions allow the moderator to understand everyone’s expertise and views, and enables the moderator to orchestrate a more compelling dialog.

The best way to have great collaboration with your speakers, is to bring in great collaborators. Sometimes you can spend too much time and effort trying to make something work that simply isn't working. Use this as a lesson. I always support journaling in some format. Don't just think about what is happening. Document it for next time. What about the speakers is causing this? If you really need to make this group work, you might see if you can add more participants. Ask the panel for suggestions. They may have ideas on people with whom they have better chemistry.