Tuesday, July 28, 2015

When should you turn down an offer to moderate a panel? 9 times

It might seem counterproductive to turn down a chance to moderate a panel. After all, it's a chance to promote yourself, your cause, your company or your career.  But in these cases, I'd advise you to at least take a second look or turn down the opportunity outright. Organizers and program chairs, listen up, lest you make these offers to your would-be moderators:
  1. When there are too many people on one panel: Panels of more than three people are fraught with peril for the speakers, the audience and the moderator. You've got to allow extra time for introductions, which may mean that you, as the moderator, will speak longer than any one panelist--a difference that will be noticed by the audience, and one that is usually forgotten by the organizer who doesn't wish to say "no" to possible panelists. You'll have to allow more time as well for Q-and-A, and, knowing they have diminished time, many speakers will simply talk past the limit. I once had an organizer ask me to join a panel of 8, and each of us were to get 2.5 minutes to speak. No way! If you're tempted:  Ask yourself what value you or the panelists can add in such a short time slot. Feel free to reassure your organizing host that a smaller panel does not mean a disaster.
  2. When all the moderators are women and all the speakers are men: Some conferences attempt to cover a lack of women speakers or attendees by putting women in high-profile but low-content roles, such as moderating panels. Ask to see the entire roster of speakers and moderators to be sure you're not just window dressing for a conference with a gender imbalance. And if yours is the only panel with women, and the topic is women’s issues, consider saying “no” to discourage this practice.
  3. When the format's prescribed too tightly: If you prefer being able to walk around the room instead of standing behind a lectern, take questions at the top rather than the bottom of the presentation, or any other variation on the standard, be sure the organizers know that and can accommodate it. Likewise, if the organizers come to you with a precisely timed list of what needs to occur when, and there's no flexibility to exercise your good judgment, you may want to reconsider. If the format's already determined for you, think through whether it really meets your needs and lets you shine--or puts you in the announcer's role, rather than that of a true moderator.
  4. When there's not enough time to prepare: On a few occasions, I've been asked to step in at the very last moment, and I have. In those clear emergencies, a seasoned panel moderator can expect to be pressed into service. I'm more concerned when the call comes in advance, but only just barely (say, 3 days before or 2 days before). Typically, that means another moderator has cancelled, or the organizers didn't plan far enough in advance. Lack of time puts you at a disadvantage. Do you want to give up your preparation time? Have you budgeted for it? Think twice before you say yes. 
  5. When the subject changes without notice: This is a clear sign that the organizers aren't taking good care of their moderator or their speakers.  I've had a few invitations pegged to a specific topic, then found out it had changed after I accepted--without hearing directly from the organizers. Be sure you take the time to reevaluate if changes are made, and feel free to say "I think you'll need to find another moderator."
  6. When the preliminary negotiations go on for longer than the panel itself: You should expect to spend time talking to the organizers about how the panel will go, speaker issues, audiovisual equipment needs and the audience in advance. But if the logistics, location, topic, length and other basics keep changing and changing yet again, you may find it's a sign that the group's too disorganized--and disrespectful of your time.  Again, feel free to say "I think you'll need to find another moderator."
  7. When it's not your area of expertise: Be honest and say so. You may be a good moderator and liked by the group, but don't stretch past your knowledge base. Don't confuse this with feeling as if you have to be "the" expert. You just need to be "an" expert. If not, say no.
  8. When your schedule gets in the way of success: You may have a clear calendar on the morning of the panel--but if you're traveling all night right before you go on, and jet lag's a problem for you, say no. Don't pile on when you know you'll be tired, rushed or otherwise not at your best.
  9. When all you ever do is moderate: At base, moderation means you are primarily presenting the ideas of others, rather than your own ideas. If you are never a speaker, but always a moderator, you may want to turn down the next moderation offer by saying, "I've moderated enough panels--but please do call me if you want a panelist or speaker on this topic."
(Creative Commons licensed photo by the International Labour Organization)

Need more coaching on how to be a better panel moderator? Order the new ebook The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. At just $3.99 and available in many formats, it's a great back-pocket coach to take on stage with you in your smartphone or tablet. Find more tips on public speaking on The Eloquent Woman blog.

Tuesday, July 21, 2015

4 surprising things I've learned about moderating panels

If you're one of the people who thinks of panel moderation as a straightforward and clear-cut task, I admire you. My experience as a seasoned panel moderator is the opposite: Anything can, and often does, happen. All that varied experience has helped me glean some surprising skill sets, things I've learned as a panel moderator that I wouldn't have guessed I needed when I started out. They include:
  1. Panel moderation isn't just for beginning speakers: Moderating has at least on thing in common with being a speaker on a panel: It's an ideal stepping stone for a speaker starting out. But panels sometimes require deft on-the-spot management that only a seasoned speaker can bring.
  2. Introducing panelists well takes work: One of the biggest missed opportunities I see in panel moderators, introductions should be much more than reading the bio the speaker just handed you. What's more, intros are a great way for moderators to shine. Passing that up would be a mistake.
  3. Organizers and speakers aren't always on the same page: And the moderator's in the middle. Juggling those two sets of expectations, and those of the audience, will be one of your biggest challenges.
  4. You've got to be willing to interrupt: When moderators lose muscle, they don't rein in the speakers...and the audience (and the organizers) lose. Learning smart ways to interrupt speakers on your panel is a critical skill.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by Novartis AG)

Need more coaching on how to be a better panel moderator? Order the new ebook The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. At just $3.99 and available in many formats, it's a great back-pocket coach to take on stage with you in your smartphone or tablet. Find more tips on public speaking on The Eloquent Woman blog.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015

Conference organizers & #eventprofs: Set up panel moderators for success

An experienced speaker, Guy Kawasaki thinks moderating panels is "deceptively hard--harder, in fact, than keynoting," in part because it's usually the conference organizer who selects the panel, and often does so without consulting the moderator. That's one way conference organizers can set panel moderators up to succeed or fail.

But it's not the only one. Here are the factors I wish more conference organizers would include in their planning when it comes to panel moderators:
  • Inviting too many speakers on one panel: Your desire to hand out speaking roles like awards does not make for a good panel, organizers--and makes the moderator's job nearly impossible. Limit panels to 3 speakers, please.
  • Not facilitating advance calls with panelists and moderators: Organizers should make it easy for the moderator to do advance calls with the panelists--one well ahead, another closer to the date. Organizers need not participate in these calls, but they should make them possible.
  • Failing to back up the moderator when she sets limits: If your moderator's smart enough to set limits such as no slides, time limits for speakers, or other needed controls, back her up. They're all tools she can use to keep the panel on time and on topic. Don't let speakers bargain behind her back. Or, consult with the moderator and join her in setting these limits.
  • Changing parameters over and over, or at the last minute: If the organizer keeps changing basic factors about the panel, such as the topic, time allotted, number of speakers, and more, you can expect seasoned moderators like myself to bow out. It's impossible for a moderator to plan her role if you keep moving the goal posts.
  • Not setting a standard: Moderating is another of those public speaking skills that most people pick up by watching....which means that most moderators aren't great when the panel goes off the rails. Give your moderators a joint prep session, conference call, or copies of The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. (And while you're at it, get a copy for yourself so you know what to ask for.) You'll see better audience ratings and happier speakers, among other benefits.
(Creative Commons licensed photo by NASA HQ)

Need more coaching on how to be a better panel moderator? Order the new ebook The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. At just $3.99 and available in many formats, it's a great back-pocket coach to take on stage with you in your smartphone or tablet. Find more tips on public speaking on The Eloquent Woman blog.

Tuesday, July 7, 2015

Karen Catlin's The Best Panel Ever: A How-to Guide

Karen Catlin, a consultant and advocate for women in the tech industry, has published The Best Panel Ever: A How-To Guide on LinkedIn. I think she nails the experience most of us have had while watching a panel discussion:
We’ve all been there. Enthusiastic about going to a panel only to be disappointed once it starts. Perhaps the introductions are long-winded. Or the panelists seem to be lacking synergy. Or the moderator can’t seem to keep the conversation humming along. 
We ask ourselves, "If I leave now, will anyone notice?” We wonder what hallway conversations we’re missing out on. We’re convinced there is a better panel taking place in the conference room next door. We feel trapped. 
I know. I’ve been there myself. But I’ve also been to a number of really great panels, and I've started paying attention to what I like about them. You see, I’m often asked to moderate panels, and I want to do a good job. And I think it’s working...
Catlin goes on to share her own tips for organizing, moderating, and managing Q&A. I'm delighted that she also recommends The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels for further reading and ideas. Thanks, Karen!

Need more coaching on how to be a better panel moderator? Order the new ebook The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels. At just $3.99 and available in many formats, it's a great back-pocket coach to take on stage with you in your smartphone or tablet. Find more tips on public speaking on The Eloquent Woman blog.