Tuesday, July 26, 2016

Should your panel moderator gigs go on your speaker page?

On my blog The Eloquent Woman, I shared 6 must-haves on your speaker page that range from video to social buzz. But should your gigs as a moderator make the cut?

My answer: Absolutely. But I suspect that many speakers are omitting panel moderator gigs when they list their speaking engagements on the speaker page they maintain on a blog or website. Perhaps you consider moderation a lesser role than being an individual speaker, or even a panelist?

In fact, since moderating a panel can be more complex than delivering a keynote, you should be including moderation on your speaker page if you want to show off your skills to conference organizers. If you're a frequent moderator, choose some high-profile, difficult, or controversial panels to highlight, and indicate there are more available on request. You also can list the total number of panels you've moderated in a given year, and then add more specifics for high-profile panels. And if your moderation got good reviews or social buzz, by all means, include it.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by the International Labour Organisation)

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 19, 2016

From the vault: 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, July 12, 2016

Audience comments matter: Moderators in the wake of the Dallas shootings

In the wake of an extreme event--like the shooting that led to the deaths of five police officers during a peaceful protest in Dallas last week--it's not surprising that community leaders might seek to focus and channel the high emotions by curating a panel discussion or two. But as folks in Dallas learned last week, that's a prime situation for the moderator to be ready for a heightened awareness of her primary role as the advocate for the audience.

In Dallas, two panels were convened, featuring area activists and leaders. TIME.com noted:
But after two hours of sedate panels, a long line formed full of angry people yelling to be heard. They demanded to know what answers panelists had to stop police brutality, racial profiling and economic disparity. As each fuming questioner refused to be silenced by the moderator, the audience roared its approval.
As one audience member put it:
“We had a community meeting, but we didn’t hear anything from the community,” said La’Shadion Anthony, Dallas Action Coalition. “We were told we can’t effect change in 24-hours. If we stand up all together we can get change … We had a panel about policies but we didn’t discuss any policies."
What could a moderator have done to handle this situation better?
  1. Don't be a moderator who shies away from asking tough questions. In a tumultuous time, one way for the audience to feel heard is through the moderator's choice of questions. If you don't hold the panel's feet to the fire, the audience will. Feel free to let your panelists know of this plan in advance.
  2. Give the audience half of the allotted time. Calling on the speakers is just one half of the moderator's job. Don't neglect the audience.
  3. Don't approach audience anger as an umpire would. Your job is to let people be part of the discussion, not to break up a fight.
It's also a good time to consider opening with the audience's questions first, then moving to the panel, then returning to Q&A. I've long said that audiences show up at conferences and meetings with a desire to say something, even if they are not among the featured speakers. If you plan for that eventuality, you'll have a much more contented--rather than contentious--audience in front of you.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by Peter Burka)

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 5, 2016

From the vault: 6 smart ways for moderators to interrupt speakers

Blogging on Scientopia recently, pediatric nephrologist Pascale Lane gave a glowing review of The Eloquent Woman's Guide to Moderating Panels, and noted "One delightful section presents smart ways to interrupt speakers, primarily so you can shut them up and stay on time, for the win."

Call it the elephant in the room where the panel is being held: Moderators need, sometimes, to interrupt speakers. No one talks about it much. Speakers dread it at some level, or at least anticipate it. And moderators, for their part, often act as if they shouldn't interrupt, even when it's clear that they need to do so. They waggle a hand below the table or behind the lectern, stare at the offending panelist, and will them, silently, to stop. Hardly surprising, is it, that these tactics aren't effective?

Instead, my book offers six smart ways for moderators to interrupt speakers. There's more detail on each of these tactics in the book:
  1. Use their names, as in "George, I hate to do this, but we need to move on." It's specific, and will get the offending speaker's attention like nothing else.
  2. Speak in "I" statements, to avoid sounding accusatory. I give you several ways to wield the vertical pronoun effectively in the book.
  3. Put a hand up, as a visual "stop" sign that all can see.
  4. Pretend to ask permission to neutralize the negative, by starting with something like "Let me ask you to stop right there."
  5. React with a question to interrupt the flow, hear the answer, then respond by drawing the speaker's time to a close.
  6. Get the audience in on the act by inviting a show of hands, discussion, or affirmation. 
Most of all, keep in mind that the audience and the organizers want you to keep the speakers on time--that's the moderator's main job. Don't hesitate to do it!

This post originally appeared in 2015.

(Creative Commons licensed photo by Cory Doctorow)

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.