How to be a Power Panel Speaker

What made it so great? Hearts, smarts, and plenty of preparation.

How to be a Power Panel Speaker in 5 Simple Steps:

1. Loop in your PR point of contact. No matter how big or small your company is, before undertaking any public speaking gig where your title and job function will be play a part in your panel, you should loop in your PR POC. They can guide you on what topics are off limits, what topics should be broached carefully, how to field questions you can’t or shouldn’t answer, and generally how to be a better storyteller when delivering your answers. They are on your team and experts at what they do: let them shine you up and help you do your best! Good for you, good for the company. (Thanks, Leslie!)

2. Remember that your personal story and unique background is an asset. I initially approached panel prep as all business: I would only talk about things I was currently working on which were applicable to the panel topic. But that would have been so boring! I was lucky to have a good moderator who used Inside the Actor’s Study questions to warm us all up, and paint a fuller picture of ourselves for the audience before diving in. Unconventional opening? Most certainly. But it worked: it removed nerves and put everyone at ease, which gave us that much more room to be excited. It also brought a human element to what could have felt like a buttoned-up panel, which made the audience more interested.

Of course, that’s not the only route to getting some personal trivia in: if you don’t go that route, or even if you do, think about how you can weave your personal story into the conversation (and also know when to put a lid on it). Be selective, but be open to bringing those in if the time and topic are right.

3. Panel chemistry matters. Meet your fellow panelists and get to know them ahead of time. In an ideal world, your fellow panelists are your best friends. Why? Because your best friends are really easy to talk to. You know their speaking rhythm without even thinking about it. You know which topics interest them most, and which they’ll have little to contribute to. They know the same about you, so the conversation runs on its own.

Most panels, though, are not composed of best friends, but of strangers or acquaintances-- that’s part of why you have a moderator to facilitate the conversation. Spend time getting to know your fellow panelists ahead of time, and your panel will reap benefits tenfold. What drew them to the panel topic? What commonalities to do you share in background, experience, point of view, and what differences? What can you tell about their personalities? What’s more likely to come out: East coast sass or West coast lax? What’s something unique about them?

The more you get to know your panelist as friends and respected experts, the more likely it is that you will genuinely want to hear what your fellow panelists have to say. And when you’re naturally interested in the topic and the people, microphone hogging and competitive debating just don’t happen: you’re too busy engaging in thoughtful listening, excited to learn something from those around you and build upon their ideas with them. I recommend meeting two or more times before your panel conversation.

4. Write out your talking points, and practice them out loud. What you remember out of your talking points is what you’ll actually say on stage. In your practice run, you’ll see which those are. Can’t remember your main point, or not remembering the “right” point? Glassy eyes and the look of huh when you practice in front of your PR counterpart or friend? Your point may not be that interesting. Revisit and revise as necessary.

5. Prepare, prepare, prepare, but don’t prepare too much. You probably don't need to see your other panelists’ answers ahead of time: it might help, but it’s likely unnecessary. Concentrate on listening in the moment and you’ll be fine. Know your talking points, but don’t worry about the rest (and definitely don't memorize them verbatim, or you'll risk sounding like a robot). Be comfortable going off script (as long as the topic is not off limits - see step #1) and live a little. Leave room for serendipity: invite an authentic, unrehearsed conversation. Trust the moderator to moderate the conversation accordingly.

With that, go forth, panel grasshopper. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be.