Your panel discussion is veering off course. How do you tactfully steer it back on track?

1 Recognize Drift

When you notice the panel discussion straying from the intended topic, it's crucial to intervene early. Pay close attention to the conversation's direction and the audience's reactions. If you sense a shift away from the core subject, prepare to guide the panelists back. Your role is to ensure that the discussion remains relevant and valuable to the audience, who have specific expectations about the content of the session.

2 Intervene Gracefully

Stepping in doesn't have to be disruptive. Use your position as a moderator to interject with a relevant question or comment that redirects the focus. You might say, "That's an interesting point, but let's circle back to our main topic," or pose a question that relates directly to the session's theme. This approach allows you to regain control without undermining the panelists' contributions.

3 Refocus Discussion

Once you've intervened, it's time to refocus the discussion. Do this by reiterating the original topic or posing a question that steers the conversation back on track. It's helpful to have a list of prepared questions or key points that relate to the session's theme. This ensures that you can quickly and effectively redirect the panelists' attention to the subject at hand.

4 Engage Panelists

Encourage each panelist to contribute to the realigned discussion by asking for their specific insights on the topic. This not only ensures a balanced conversation but also helps maintain the panel's direction. By engaging each speaker, you remind them of the session's focus and demonstrate to the audience that a diverse range of perspectives is being considered.

5 Manage Time Wisely

Time management is critical in maintaining the direction of a panel discussion. Be mindful of the allocated time for each segment and for individual speakers. If certain topics or anecdotes are taking up too much time, gently remind panelists of the time constraints and steer them back towards the main discussion points. This helps keep the session on track and respects the audience's time and expectations.

6 Summarize Points

Periodically summarizing the discussion can effectively keep it on course. This technique allows you to highlight key points that have been made, reinforcing the session's theme, and setting up the next question or topic for discussion. Summarization acts as a subtle cue to panelists and the audience about the central issues being addressed, helping to maintain focus and coherence throughout the session.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?