Powerful Panels

This podcast is full of tips and techniques to help meeting organizers, panel moderators and panelists be absolutely brilliant during panel discussions at meetings, conferences and conventions.

Last refreshed: May 30th, 2026 at 4:44 PM ⓘ

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Episodes

Can an Introvert Be a Good Panelist?

With dominating extrovert panelists, what is an introvert to do to stack the odds in their favor? To answer this question, I called my colleague and author of Creating Introvert-Friendly Workplaces, Jennifer B. Kahnweiler, Ph.D, CSP . Here is what she had to say.

May 10, 2023•15 min

The Last Question of a Panel Discussion

I highly recommend finishing the panel discussion on a high note with a very clear call to action. It is this "final thought" that creates clear takeaways for the audience and positions you and your company as a resource. Here are some things to consider.

Apr 13, 2023•3 min

How Panelists Can Help With Promoting the Panel Discussion

Promoting the panel discussion is not just the responsibility of the event organizer. As a panel moderator or as a panelist, you can help promote the panel to a wider audience, encourage them to attend, engage with the attendees, and follow up after the panel discussion is over.

Apr 07, 2023•3 min

How to Facilitate a Meaningful Audience Q&A Session During a Panel Discussion

At some point during a panel discussion, the panel moderator will turn to the audience and ask for questions. Most folks call this " Audience Q&A " where the moderator takes questions from the audience via text, question card , open microphone , or Oprah-style , depending on the event. To facilitate a meaningful audience Q&A session, try these techniques....

Apr 06, 2023•4 min

ChatGPT's Answer to Panelist Faux Pas

Since ChatGPT has hit the headlines pretty hard, I thought I would use artificial intelligence to write this week's blog on "biggest panelist faux pas." Amazingly enough, here is what ChatGPT answered:

Mar 13, 2023•3 min

Panelists - Don't Forget to Keep the Audience In Mind

It annoys me when panelists solely talk to the panel moderator and their fellow panelists - and never address the audience. After all, it is the audience that is benefitting from the panel's wisdom! Why not engage with the audience directly? You may not be the panel moderator, but you still can involve the audience in small ways.

Mar 06, 2023•5 min

Blatant Gender Bias at a Davos Economic Summit Panel Discussion

As a panel moderator, it is a best practice to use people's names . Everybody likes to hear their name AND it's a great cue for a panelist to know that a question is directed at them. But for goodness sakes, either call ALL the panelists by their first names or ALL the panelists by their official titles! Here's where things went wrong.

Mar 03, 2023•6 min

Prepare to be a Brilliant Panelist with these Steps

Perhaps you've been asked to serve as a panelist in an upcoming panel discussion...and you may be wondering, "What do I have to do to be prepared?" That's a GREAT question, as I have seen too many panelists do absolutely NO preparation. Okay, they might have read the descriptive email on the flight into the city or briefly chatted with the panel moderator. I affectionally call this the "show up and throw up strategy," where the panelists think they can get by with sheer brilliance. Unfortunately...

Feb 20, 2023•6 min

Should I Practice for a Panel Discussion?

A common question I am asked is "Should I practice for a panel discussion?" My pithy response is that it can't hurt! Seriously though, you should prepare answers for the questions you think the moderator will ask as well as a few curve balls that you think they might ask! Here's how.

Jan 26, 2023•4 min

Where to Sit as a Panelist During a Panel Discussion

You may end up with a disorganized, lackadaisical moderator who says, "go ahead - sit wherever!" If that's the case, get there early enough to walk onto the stage and claim the best chair in the house! Place your notes, clipboard, or another piece of personal property on the chair. Here's where you will want to sit.

Jan 05, 2023•5 min

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