Download - 10 Most Common MIstakes Moderators Make...and How to Avoid Them

© 2012 All Rights Reserved

10 Most Common Mistakes Panelists Make

And How to Avoid Them

December 11, 2014

www.ExtraordinaryTeam.com www.PowerfulPanels.com

Kristin J. Arnold, MBA, CMC, CPF, CSP

  Tel: 480.502.2100 or 800.589.4733

Fax: 480.502.2102 or 888.884.9132

Email: [email protected]

President, QPC Inc. – The Extraordinary Team

11890 E Juan Tabo Road, ScoSsdale, AZ 85255

www.ExtraordinaryTeam.com



539 people took the survey


•  49% Speakers/Moderators

•  34% ParHcipants/ASendees

•  33% Thought Leaders/Experts

•  22% C-‐Suite ExecuHves

•  17% Managers

•  14% MeeHng Planners

•  13% Leadership (VPs)


72% Moderator Issues

66% Out of Control Panelists

54% Topic Problems

53% Poor Panelist SelecHon

27% Audio/Visuals


1.   Top 10 Panelist Mistakes…

2.   And What to Do About Them!


•  Show up on Hme/early •  SHck to your Hme limits

•  Stay aberwards to mingle


“Chris Maser, a zoologist, seemed distracted as his fellow panelists gave their opinions on

whether sustainability can ever be resolved.”

Source: hSps://eal888.wordpress.com/2009/04/


Source: hSp://moicontrelavie.files.wordpress.com/2012/09/panels.jpg


Source:h)p://JillKonrath.com. Used with permission.


“I agree with my colleague...” Source: Renee Blodge) h)p://www.weblogtheworld.com. Used with permission


•  “Let me add something to that idea…”

•  “We take a different approach at our company…”

Source: Warren Evans. Used with Permission

Don’t feel compelled to answer every quesHon – especially when another panelist has given a perfectly fine answer.


•  Cut off other panelists or the moderator •  “Pontificate” or talk down to others •  Disagree just because you can •  Interrupt another panelist •  Hog the spotlight •  Answer every question •  Take the last word


Be gracious to others and they will be gracious to you


•  Be gracious •  Listen with intent •  Build on others’ •  Watch your airHme

•  Respecmully disagree •  Invite others to comment

•  Refer to what other panelists have said


Buy My Stuff!


Pictured above is my friend and panel referee “Alan ‘the Whistle’” Orloff, totally failing to keep me under control. This picture is from the “Three Strikes and You’re Out” panel of sports mystery authors.

Courtesy of Sasscer Hill: h)p://sasscerhill.blogspot.com/2012_04_01_archive.html


•  Balance the airHme Hme

•  Punt to another panelist

Source: h)p://news.anu.edu.au/files/2013/04/Future-‐Forum.jpg Photo by Mark Ma)hews. Used with permission.

•  Self awareness •  Keep it short – 90 secs


1.  Dominates the discussion

2.  Promotes themselves

3.  Goes off topic – no point

4.  Isn’t conversaHonal

5.  Disagreeable

6.  RepeHHve

7.  Poor speaking skills

8.  Superficial comments

9.  Appears distracted

10.  Arrives late


Source: Automo[ve Recyclers Associa[on


Source: Robert Wilson. hSp://www.workerscompensaHon.com/compnewsnetwork/from-‐bobs-‐cluSered-‐desk/20272-‐colossal-‐near-‐misses-‐and-‐buSerfly-‐kisses-‐the-‐naHonal-‐blogger-‐s-‐panel.html


“I have frequently found panel members,

at the end of a discussion, glowing with enthusiasm at the way

ideas unexpectedly emerged.”

Harry A. Overstreet American Educator


•  Join our Group

•  www.PowerfulPanels.com

–  Download the Panel Report

–  Download the Panelist Tip Sheet

– Watch the free videos

–  Buy the book

–  Join the membership site


7 Best PracUces for Geographically Dispersed

(aka Virtual) Teams

March 12, 2015


© 2011 All Rights Reserved High Stakes Meeting Facilitation Team & Facilitator Training Conversational Keynotes, Breakouts and Panels Specializing in

Kristin J. Arnold, MBA, CMC, CPF, CSP © 2014 All Rights Reserved

  Tel: 480.502.2100 or 800.589.4733

Fax: 480.502.2102 or 888.884.9132

Email: [email protected]

President, QPC Inc. – The Extraordinary Team

11890 E Juan Tabo Road, ScoSsdale, AZ 85255


Download - 10 Most Common MIstakes Moderators Make...and How to Avoid Them

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