As a lawyer or business professional, you’re likely no stranger to speaking in front of people, but moderating a panel brings a unique set of challenges. You’re not just speaking—you’re guiding the conversation, managing personalities and making sure the audience gets value from the discussion. Moderating is all about balance: letting your panelists shine, keeping the conversation on track and ensuring the audience leaves with key takeaways. Here’s how to step into the role of moderator with confidence and authority, while keeping it professional but engaging.
1. Know Your Panelists and Topic Inside Out
Before you even step on stage (or in front of the camera), make sure you know who’s on your panel and what they bring to the conversation. Research their backgrounds, areas of expertise and most recent work. This allows you to direct specific questions their way, making the discussion feel more dynamic and tailored.
Also, be clear on the overall topic and goals for the session. What does the audience need to walk away with? What are the big issues or trends you want to hit? Having this framework in mind will help you steer the conversation when it starts to wander.
2. Establish Authority with a Strong Opening
You’re the leader of this discussion, so set the tone from the start. A quick, punchy introduction explaining the importance of the topic and introducing your panelists will position you as the authority figure without taking too much time. It’s key to be confident but not overly formal—keep the tone conversational and approachable.
3. Be the Guide, Not the Star
Moderating is about guiding the conversation, not being the focus of it. Yes, you’re in control, but your job is to create space for your panelists to share their insights. Ask open-ended questions that invite discussion and follow-up questions that dive deeper into the points they raise.
However, it’s important to manage time and transitions smoothly. If a panelist goes off-topic or gets too long-winded, gently bring things back. Try, “That’s a great point, let’s circle back to [specific topic].”
4. Be an Active Listener
One of the most underrated skills for a moderator is listening. Really pay attention to what your panelists are saying so you can ask thoughtful follow-up questions. Active listening also helps you connect the dots between different panelists’ points, creating a more cohesive discussion.
If one panelist brings up an interesting point, invite others to weigh in: “How does that align with your experience, [panelist’s name]?” This fosters a real conversation, rather than just a series of disconnected responses.
5. Stay Neutral and Objective
As a lawyer, you’re likely used to advocating for a particular point of view. But as a moderator, your role is different—you’re there to facilitate balanced discussion, not take sides. Make sure your questions and comments are neutral and invite diverse perspectives. If a debate starts to get heated, act as a mediator, ensuring all panelists get their say without things becoming too confrontational.
6. Tailor Questions to Expertise
Make sure your questions play to each panelist’s strengths. Don’t ask generic questions that could apply to anyone. Instead, direct your questions based on what you know about each panelist’s specific expertise. This keeps the conversation more engaging and ensures each panelist has a chance to shine.
For example, if one panelist is a specialist in data privacy, ask them how the latest regulations are impacting their clients, while directing other panelists to speak on broader legal trends.
7. Time Management is Key
Lawyers love to talk, but as a moderator, your job is to make sure everyone gets equal time and the session stays on track. Give panelists a heads-up about timing upfront, so they know not to take too long on each point. And don’t hesitate to jump in if someone’s answer starts to drag on. Phrases like “In the interest of time…” or “Let’s hear from [panelist’s name] on this” can help move things along without sounding rude.
8. Engage the Audience Early
Even if audience participation isn’t planned until the end, it’s a good idea to acknowledge them early. Something as simple as saying, “We’ll be taking questions at the end, so keep those in mind,” helps make the session feel more interactive.
When the time comes for audience questions, make sure to paraphrase them if needed. Sometimes audience members can get a little too specific or technical, so it’s your job to ensure the questions are clear and accessible to the entire panel.
9. Handle Tough Situations with Grace
It’s not uncommon for a panelist to go off-topic, or worse, for a discussion to get heated. As a moderator, you’ll need to manage these moments diplomatically. If someone goes off on a tangent, gently bring them back with something like, “That’s an interesting point, but let’s focus on…” And if tempers start to flare, remind panelists and the audience that the goal is to explore different perspectives, not to have everyone agree.
10. End with a Strong Closing
Wrap things up by summarizing the key takeaways from the discussion. A quick recap of the main points ensures the audience leaves with clear insights. Before closing, offer each panelist a chance to share a brief final thought. This gives them the opportunity to leave the audience with a memorable insight or piece of advice.
Bonus Tip: Stay Connected After the Panel: Use LinkedIn to Build Relationships
Moderating a panel is a great opportunity to build lasting professional relationships with both the panelists and the audience. Don’t let the connections fade once the event is over. Follow up with the panelists by sending a message or connecting on LinkedIn. A personalized note mentioning a point they made or thanking them for their contribution can go a long way in fostering future collaborations.
Similarly, connect with audience members who reached out with questions or comments during the event. Engaging with them on LinkedIn or continuing the conversation online helps you build your network and stay top of mind in your field. By continuing to nurture these relationships after the panel, you’re turning a one-time event into ongoing opportunities for professional growth and development.
Final Thoughts
Moderating a panel as a lawyer comes with its own set of challenges, but when done well, it can elevate the conversation, engage the audience, and make sure the panelists shine. You’re not just moving from one question to the next—you’re ensuring the conversation flows, stays on topic, and remains valuable to everyone involved. It requires a balance of control, diplomacy, and attentiveness.
The good news is that with a strategic approach, you can keep the discussion dynamic and impactful, all while making sure your panelists and the audience feel like they’re part of something valuable. Here’s how you can master the role.
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