Panel Communication Tips and Tools by Steve Adubato, Ph.D.

One of the most common communication challenges involves serving on a panel. Sometimes you seek to get on the panel. Other times, you are stuck on it with no way out because your boss or organization expects it of you. Whatever your circumstance, there are some tangible tips, tools and techniques to make the most out of your panel communication…

• Remind yourself; “Of all the things I want to say, other panelists will be talking as well. What is the most important point or message I want people to remember?” You may have five or ten things floating around in your head, but successful panel communication requires that you pick one compelling point or message and hammer it home with supporting material. This will make you stand out and be remembered.
  
  
• If you have any say over the size of a panel, shoot for three or four participants. Beyond that, your audience will have a hard time keeping track of who is saying what. If the organizers insist on a panel of six to eight, do everything you can to get out of it, because there will be little value or benefit for you or your audience.
  
  
• Check out the other panelists and decide how you can differentiate yourself from them. Your goal is to be memorable in a positive way. So repeating what others are saying won’t help much.
  
  
• Even though you have a main message or point to communicate, stay in the moment (it’s easy to get bored and start daydreaming), and seek opportunities to jump in and comment on what is being said. A great panel is really a dynamic conversation, so make sure you’re a part of it.
  
  
• If you have a terrific moderator, consider yourself lucky. Most panels have people leading who lack professional facilitating skills. If that is the case, don’t hesitate to ask a fellow panelist a question; “Joe, you argue that selling is really the art of listening. How exactly have you seen this in your business?” Engage fellow panelists without taking over the moderator’s job. Whoever said that panel communication is solely about making statements, as opposed to asking questions.
  
  
• Be selective with your visuals. You can have the greatest PowerPoint or visual presentation, but if most or all of the other panelists are communicating in the same way, your presentation will suffer. Find out who is using what technique, and again seek to differentiate your approach. Try to get the “last word” in whenever you can. Or, when you have strong feelings about a topic, don’t wait for the moderator to ask if you have something to say. Be proactive, which means saying something like this; “Joan, if I could jump in and add this point…” Staying engaged and involved will help you see the opportunities presented.
  
  
• Keep your energy level high no matter how flat or dull the other panelists may be. Your demeanor, body language and attitude can be more important than what you actually say. Don’t slouch, and by all means, don’t look at your watch. Those are the kinds of things audiences tend to remember, which will do you no good.

Have you served on a panel recently? Describe your experience and what you learned from it. Write to me.

Dr. Steve Adubato coaches and speaks on the subjects of communication and leadership and is the author of the book "Speak from the Heart." Write to him at The Star-Ledger, 1 Star-Ledger Plaza, Newark, NJ 07102, or click here to contact him through this web site.