Have you ever been on a panel when one participant is behaving badly? Have you ever caught yourself about to make a misstep? I have, and it’s no fun; It can also undermine the success of the entire group. So, here are some don’ts for anyone invited to speak on a stage with others.
- Don’t monopolize the microphone. I was on a shared stage recently and one woman droned on, oblivious to her other panelists, eating up more than her share of time. Our moderator tried to gently move on to other speakers, but this lady had a grip on the microphone and wouldn’t let go. She embarrassed herself and it was difficult to watch.
- Don’t brag. Even if you are the most accomplished on the panel do not blow your own horn. It makes you look selfish. Instead, praise another panelist, point out their good argument, build on their idea. Being gracious will make you stand taller in the audience’s eyes.
- Don’t lose focus. I’ve seen panelists lean back in their chairs, check their watches or even their phones. I’m guilty of caving to the urge to multi-task, but it’s a big mistake to convey boredom. If you are disinterested, why should the audience care? You agreed to participate, so bring your full self. Join in and ask a question, comment on something smart another panelist said, smile. Your energy will lift others.
- Don’t be afraid to disagree. You can politely express a contrary opinion. Try, “Respectfully, I see it differently” and off you go adding the spice of intellectual diversity. There’s no obligation to have consensus among panelists. A little light sparring will add heat to dialogue and spark interest among the observers.
- Don’t take a cheap shot. I was on a panel once and knew that a fellow presenter was boasting of an accomplishment that was the labor of many. I could have laid out the facts (and trust me, I wanted to!) but I chose not to. His exaggerations were hurting no one—other than his own credibility. And if I had said something, I would have likely looked petty. On a panel, as in life, take the high road!
What are your takeaways on good panel etiquette? What should we avoid? Do you have any lessons or good stories to share?
Physician, Medical Director, Operations Executive ? Biotechnology, Pharmaceutical, Hospital System, Start-Ups
8 个月Love this.
Great list Sally.
Executive VP Legal I General Counsel I Global Corporate Governance & Transactions
8 个月Great points Sally ! Love the “don’t take the cheap shot” one. I would add a couple of things that usually make me cringe on stage ?? and that I would avoid at all cost: ? Using Jargon: Overusing industry-specific terms (or unexplained acronyms) can alienate parts of the audience. ? Being Unprepared: Failing to prepare not only reflects poorly on you but can derail the panel's effectiveness. ? Personal Anecdotes that Don’t Add Value. Engage with the panelists and the audience: this is also your job. The best panels are those where even the quietest voice finds room to echo. No one enjoys a one-player game! ????
Senior Executive Officer, Chief Strategy Officer, West Florida Division
8 个月Great tips! One to add is posture is everything, sit properly and show that you are engaged.
Board Member | Strategic Business & Financial Advisor | IPO Expert | Capital Markets Specialist | Speaker
8 个月Good tips! For years, I consistently participated in panels with our chief competitor and one gentleman there would aggressively and immediately jump into the "us vs. them" conversation and why they were better than us. How does that at all help an audience? I never understood it because he inevitably looked like a bully and didn't add any value. I would never defend my company, never start into our own sales pitch but instead would pick up on one small topic he mentioned and speak about some unique insights or lessons learned about that particular topic that would be of interest to the audience, completely changing the trajectory and vibe of the conversation. To this day, people still come up to me to mention how much they learned that day and how they always remember it.