The Modern Panelist – Managing Panels, Townhalls, or General Q&As with Confidence
As we return to physical communication settings with the drop in COVID-19 regulations, our learners are starting to re-acquaint themselves with tough scenarios. One example is panels or forums where the communicator is subject to an impromptu set of questions while expected to respond clearly and confidently. Unlike in a typical speech, the modern panellist grapples with the need to provide informative value to the audience while engaging them still in the high-stakes setting.
The main challenge in this communication setting is the tension between being an expert and facing the time pressure of a quick, accurate response. Subject matter experts, domain leaders, or even key appointment holders often find themselves in this setting. Sometimes, these ‘Q&A’ situations may even venture into an emotional minefield, with highly-charged settings like town halls. These communication settings can still be managed using public speaking techniques as a base.
Today, we will share more about how to expertly navigate such panel or forum settings while presenting yourself as an immaculate communicator!
Managing Your Content ‘Script’
Like how a communicator on stage builds their confidence from their content, panellists will need to manage their content or ‘script’. As a subject-matter expert or domain leader, the audience will look towards you for insights into your responses. It may be easy to feel like such settings are fully impromptu, with limited preparation, but a good communicator will always have ways to ensure that they have their content and responses at their fingertips.
This does not mean you must prepare a full script with tables for the potential answers you may give. Instead, prepare a scaffold that covers both your content and your thought process. For content, this can come in the form of summaries or categories of topics that apply in the session. For example, we had one communicator who prepared short headers/1-liners of the potential topics that may come up during the forum. For the thought process, have 1 or 2 simple answering structures that will give you direction when responding to the queries. This will act as a prompt when you are stuck or trying to think of points to elaborate on!
Your Answering Technique
The core of such communication settings is answering techniques that help you respond calmly and confidently. These techniques or scaffolds are guidelines that offer you quick help at a glance without having to rely on long thought flows. In such a high-stakes setting (where even reputation is on the line), having this ready structure can help put your mind at ease.
One answering technique that is simple but effective is the PEECaRL structure – this is divided into the direct, elaborated answer (with Point, Explain, Evidence/Example), the alternative view (with Counter-Argument, Rebuttal/Response), and the Link to the question. The winning component of this structure is the reminder to show the audience that your answer is balanced (with counterarguments considered) and in the audience’s interests!
Retreating with Grace
Sometimes, the challenge in such a communication setting is not about your answer but how you can gracefully avoid answering. The aim is to preserve your credibility still while carving a safe space to plan your accurate answer. This can come about when you are asked a question that is not within your expertise or comfort level. There is a way to provide value to your audience still!
One understated method is reflecting – the act of directing the question to a more accurate answer source. This is different from deflecting a question (which may give the impression that you are trying to escape or avoid the question). Start by acknowledging the question’s significance (e.g., why the answer to the question would be beneficial or valuable). Next, highlight why the question may be beyond your possible answer (e.g., because it falls within a different domain). Finally, create commitment by linking it to a broad topic or even another domain expert in the same panel (e.g., directing it to a correct person or turning it into a discussion).
The Confident Panelist!
Panels, town halls, and Q&A sessions are difficult, thanks to their fluidity and unpredictability. When all the attention is on you, it may be challenging to present answers accurately and confidently to your audience. We hope our brief sharing today can help make that communication process smoother for everyone!
Extra tips on how to handle Q&A sessions/ Impromptu Speaking – WATCH: “LIVE Q&A Season 2 | How To Say “No” or “I Don’t Know” WITHOUT Offending Anyone!!”
If you want to take your speaking skills to the next level…
If you are keen to take your public speaking skills & presentation skills (either business/corporate presentation / kids in-class presentation) to the next level so that you may communicate and deliver speeches with greater flair and charisma, feel free to check out our public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults and public speaking course for children below!
For more about our (weekly group classes) Public Speaking/ Presentation Skills Course for Adults :
https://www.publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/courses-and-programs/group-classes-for-adults/
If you are looking for a 2-day intensive public speaking/ presentation skills course for adults instead (for our adult learners who can’t do weekends), learn more about our presentation skills training course here: https://www.publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/presentation-skills-training-course-by-world-champion/
If you are looking for Public Speaking/ Presentation Courses for Kids / Children:
https://www.publicspeakingacademy.com.sg/group-classes-students-age-9-18/
If you are a human resources manager/ business owner in your company…
We want to help you bring out the best in your team, organization, and company. Public speaking and communication skills for the workplace, such as persuasion, remain a priority for most corporate training out there. We believe in staying ahead of the curve in sharing the contemporary communication skills to help you and your team remain relevant, competitive and nimble. Through our customized corporate training programmes, your team will benefit from an in-depth, hands-on, and potential-maximising public speaking & presentation skills training programme!
Feel free to reach out to us to curate your own public speaking corporate training programme for your team, company, or organization! Let us help you develop them into highly effective public speakers at work, empowered with effective presentation skills & storytelling skills – them giving speeches with charisma, influence and impact is something you can look forward to!
