Tuesday, November 17, 2015

3 reasons why moderator intros shouldn't steal the speakers' best content

Believe it or not, speakers, I got some pushback on my post Toward better panel introductions, in which I advised:
Don't steal the speaker's best content: If you've done your preparation correctly, you'll know a lot of what the speakers will be saying. Don't borrow a speaker’s content for the introduction and steal her thunder. Don't tell the audience what her conclusions are or her position on an issue. Instead, focus on context-setting and expertise.
A couple of readers wrote to ask, in essence, "Why not?" They argued that the moderator should create excitement and cherry-pick the best of what she knows about the panel for the introductions.

I disagree, and so do plenty of speakers I heard from--in fact, they outnumbered the couple of moderators who advocated stealing the speakers' thunder. Let me share a few reasons why I feel so strongly about this:

  1. It's a great way to anger your panel before the panel begins: If your panel is well-prepared (and especially if it is not), taking key points away from the panelists leaves them in the position of having to say, "As Anne Marie noted in my introduction..." It's not a team-player position to take, and if you pull this rug out from under them early, don't expect them to keep to your limits on time and topic.
  2. You're ensuring there will be no drama and surprise: Speakers in general have gotten into the bad habit of "telling them what you're going to tell them," and signaling the key points at the start. But a panel discussion should unfold as a discussion. If you give away the primary content at the top of the session, why would we pay attention later? If, instead, you let the speakers bring up their strong points as the panel progresses, you're ensuring better attention throughout the panel--and better discussion.
  3. It's not about you, moderators: I understand that moderators, too, want their moment in the spotlight. But the content you're disclosing belongs to someone else. How about writing great introductions that don't require you to steal thunder or borrow content, perhaps sharing your own perspective on the speaker and the topic? That would be more authentic and diplomatic.

If you follow the advice in my ebook, your moderation will give you the chance to know upfront most of what the speakers intend to say. That's a privilege you shouldn't squander on an introduction, moderators. I hope every speaker who's had their topic hijacked by the moderator will share this post, so we can get general agreement that this isn't a best practice.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by the U.S. Mission Geneva)

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, November 10, 2015

Should the moderator introduce herself?

My coaching client was moderating a major press conference for her company, and her script had the required regulatory language, introductions for each of the executive speakers, and a preview of the day's events. The only thing missing? The script didn't include an introduction for herself.

When I pointed out the omission, she questioned whether she really needed to introduce herself--it felt awkward. It might have been another case of a woman speaker who feels she should be a backup singer, not a lead performer. But I think the moderator, of all the speakers, needs an intro. Here's why:
  • It's part of the official record: Especially for investor meetings or press conferences, the moderator's remarks are part of the official record. And those remarks need an identifier.
  • It's a courtesy to the audience: Your audience may have a program in hand, but it's important to verbally introduce yourself along with the other speakers. It helps audience members keep track of who's doing what, connecting faces with names. And because the moderator is the audience's guide, how will they ask a question or get your attention if they can't call you by name?
  • It appropriately reflects your role as a frequent speaker that day: As the person who may appear most frequently as a speaker, the moderator, of all people, needs an introduction.
But what you were really wondering is whether it's possible to give yourself an introduction that isn't too braggy or over the top? You bet it is. In this instance, in fact, simply stating her name and title would suffice. Read my posts on The Eloquent Woman blog about when you have to introduce yourself, and how to take charge of your introduction for more specifics and ideas on introducing yourself without sounding too pompous.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by the U.S. Department of Agriculture)

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, November 3, 2015

First, let's kill all the moderators? Republican debate prompts revolt

Watch out, moderators: When the speakers in U.S. political debates don't like the questions, you may get fired. Here's how the New York Times led its coverage of the conflict:
With 10 Republican presidential candidates together at a forum on Saturday, three days after their raucous debate in Colorado, several took shots at their new common enemy: the debate moderators, eliciting loud applause from hundreds of Iowa voters.
Candidates took jabs at the questions they disliked and some suggested a roster of decidedly conservative Republican journalists and talk-show hosts for the next moderator role, while the party canceled its next scheduled debate with an associated network. At least one liberal observer concurred, suggesting that it would convince more people to vote for the Democrats.

I don't know about that, but I do know that a speaker who can answer a strong question from a moderator (ideally one who isn't fawning over the panelists) looks better, stronger, and more in command--whether you're running for office or just trying to convince a professional audience of your viewpoint. Speakers should hope for challenging questions, the kind that let them counter the question's premise with a compelling argument in a different direction. Agreement generally takes less time, and gives speakers less of an opportunity to make a mark. Instead of using moderator choice to stack the deck, so to speak, it's useful to show any audience (especially voters) that you're capable of handling more than yes-moderators who agree with you. In lieu of blaming the moderator when an exchange ends poorly, you might consider what's recommended in this TEDx talk about effective arguments: Having an exit strategy for your argument.

We talk a lot about creating a sparkling discussion in any panel discussion, and it's certainly essential in a debate. To sparkle rather than hum or yawn, that discussion should include varying points of view and, most of the time, it's the moderator's job to seek them out. Consider the definition of debate: As a noun, it's a "formal discussion on a particular topic in a public meeting or legislative assembly, in which opposing arguments are put forward." As a verb, it means to "argue about (a subject), especially in a formal manner." For candidates for public office, there's another imperative to follow. If you can't show us what distinguishes you from others--even if that's only the moderator--how will we know what we're voting for? And if you're on a panel discussion saying, "Of course, I agree with Fred" all the time, will you get invited back? Sparring with the moderator might just be your ticket to attention and identity in a crowded field, whether that field is your panel or the nation. Moderators, stay the course and keep that discussion going.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by Paul Dietzl II)

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.