You're battling stage fright as a panel moderator. How can you confidently lead industry experts?

Understand the expertise and unique strengths of each speaker on your panel. Know the subject matter at hand and speak with confidence using both verbal and non-verbal communications. Make eye contact with the panelists and audience members with the goal of making them feel that you’re speaking to them personally.

In my experience I have sat in many panel discussions and all are experts in their own right … but you have to remember that you too are an expert in you own right! Naturally you will be nervous but be confident you wouldn’t be where you are if you couldn’t do it. I also agree with all that Zahraa is suggesting… know your panel members and look to gain their insight also. It’s important to do that research and think about the right topics to cover so you can maintain the engagement in what is being discussed!

Remember the audience is here for the experts’ answers, not your questions. Take deep breaths, view it as a conversation, know your questions, and listen actively. Engage comfortably and keep the focus on the panelists.

El mejor "remedio" que conozco para tomar el control del "miedo" escénico es hacer el trabajo de autoconsciencia profesional estratégica, desde la tercera persona del singular y recordar que la "procesión va por dentro"

To confidently lead a panel as a moderator while battling stage fright, thoroughly research and understand each panelist's background and expertise. For example, if you're moderating a panel on technology trends, familiarize yourself with each expert’s recent work, key contributions, and viewpoints. Prepare insightful questions tailored to their specialties to show respect for their knowledge and engage them effectively. This preparation will not only boost your confidence but also help you facilitate a smooth, engaging discussion.

Rather than just fact based "what" questions, focus on "why" and "how" questions. For example, "Why did you become a teacher" will always go deeper and more interesting than "what classes do you teach".

Take time to prepare questions that are thought provoking, imaginative and open-ended. The questions should be respectful and not demeaning. There should be no personal attacks but rather the question should have a focus on learning. Develop a style of asking follow-up questions where more clarity and information is needed.

Crafting thought-provoking questions in advance is crucial. Ensure they cover a range of relevant topics and encourage deep discussion. Open-ended questions are particularly valuable for fostering dialogue. This preparation reduces uncertainty and helps alleviate stage fright, making the panel more engaging and manageable for both you and the panelists.

Building rapport is essential to achieving excellent panel moderation. This entails engaging panellist before the session to get an overview of their thoughts on the topic of discussion. Celebrate and acknowledge all their accolades, this in turn helps to build trust, rapport and collaboration.

Building rapport is the special sauce of acing a memorable panel moderation. Get to interact with the panelists beforehand and get to understand their perspectives on the topic of discussion. Acknowledge the achievements they've made and adopt a curious mindset. Remember them by name as this is a big deal in having memorable interactions.

Establishing a connection with each panelist can ease your nerves and enrich the discussion. Reach out before the event to discuss their insights on the topic. During the panel, use their names and reference their previous points to show active listening. This rapport fosters a collaborative atmosphere and enhances comfort.

Building rapport with the industry experts is a great way to tackle stage fright as a panel moderator. Start by thoroughly researching each panelist's background and area of expertise to craft thoughtful questions and their introduction. Establish a connection before the event through a brief pre-panel conversations to break the ice. During the discussion, listen actively and engage genuinely with their responses, showing appreciation for their insights. Use their names and refer to their points to show you are listening. Maintain eye contact, smile, and use open and upright, positive body language to project confidence. Create a collaborative atmosphere and value their contributions to help yourself be at ease.

Managing the conversation flow is essential for a successful panel. Monitor the time and ensure balanced participation by all panelists. If one person speaks too much, gently redirect the discussion to involve others. This balance of assertiveness and politeness helps maintain an engaging and equitable dialogue, boosting your confidence in moderation.

Pivot your perspective. Our heart beats rapidly when we are nervous. It does so too when we are excited. Your body displays the same symptoms regardless of which side of the spectrum you are on. You can pivot your perspective and convince your mind that what you are feeling is excitement. Convert this excitement into energy to wow your crowd. What you focus on will undoubtedly be magnified.

Stage fright often stems from anxiety, but you can manage it with techniques like deep breathing, positive visualization, and focusing on your value to the audience. Recognize that nervousness is normal, and with practice, you can channel this energy into a powerful, engaging presence on stage.

Encourage audience participation by inviting them to submit questions before or during the panel. This interaction makes the event more dynamic and eases your pressure by shifting focus to audience engagement. It also highlights that they are there to learn and support, enriching the discussion’s direction.

Remember, the panel is NOT for you. It's for the audience. So, it's important to involve the audience in the discussion. However, be wary of off-the-tangent questions or unclear questions. In that case, you must act assertive.