Do panel discussions feel intimidating, unstructured or unpredictable?
Whether you’ve been invited to your first panel discussion or want to become a more confident and memorable panellist, this practical guide will help you prepare, speak with clarity, and make an impact.
Saying no to panel discussions means missing valuable opportunities to showcase your expertise, build credibility, and raise your professional profile. Yet many professionals avoid panels simply because they don’t understand how the format works.
Being a panellist is much easier than you think. With the right preparation and mindset, panel discussions can become one of the most effective ways to increase your visibility and position yourself as an expert in your field.
This concise, practical guide demystifies the panel discussion format and equips you with the tools, techniques and confidence to contribute effectively on stage.
You’ll learn:
- How panel discussions really work — and why they’re worth saying yes to
- Proven ways to prepare and communicate your message clearly
- Techniques for handling tricky questions and different moderator styles
- How to overcome nerves and speak with confidence
- Real-life examples of what makes a panellist memorable
Whether you’re a business leader, subject-matter expert, or emerging voice in your field, this book will help you say “yes” to panel discussions with confidence and make the most of every opportunity.
Andrea Carpenter is a writer, communications consultant, and Director of Diversity Talks Real Estate, an organisation that raises the visibility of under-represented groups through the stage and media. She has extensive experience in public speaking, event moderation, and training, alongside a career spanning journalism, industry leadership roles, and consultancy in the commercial real estate industry. Andrea is also the author of High Rise and Fall (Routledge, 2018), which explores the history and evolution of the modern European commercial property market.
Mark Dailey is the Managing Director of Dailey and Associates, an award-winning international television journalist turned strategic communications adviser and coach. For over three decades, he has worked with leaders at the C-suite level to help them navigate change, articulate purpose, and build trust through clear and authentic communication. Mark is also the author of A Leader's Guide to Storytelling (Routledge, 2022), part manual, part memoir, and part call to action on why authentic, effective communication will be the essential leadership skill of the future.
