I have stopped doing panel discussions, but I am happy to be a moderator if the panelists are interesting. In the last two weeks I have watched several panels on very interesting subjects with great panelists that completely flopped. They all flopped because of the moderators. If you are moderating a panel my advice would include:
- Research the subject of the panel well and invest equal time to understand the careers and thinking of the panelists
- Refrain from introducing your own opinions. Nobody comes for the moderator
- Do not under any circumstances argue with the panelists
- If you do not have an insightful followup question, move on to the next planned question
Someone needs to provide a free training program for moderators.