How to Be a Memorable Panellist

The best panellists create connection.

They listen closely, speak with intention, and help shape a conversation that’s thoughtful, relevant and real.

When you are invited onto a panel, how do you ensure you show up with authenticity while maximising the opportunity for your organisation?

Here is something I’ve observed time and time again: the strongest panellists don’t try to impress. They aim to contribute.

Great panellists create space for shared insight. They engage with humility, speak with intention, and elevate the conversation as a whole. When that happens, the audience walks away with more than just soundbites – they leave with a richer, more nuanced understanding of the topic at hand.

Here are eight principles I often share with the professionals I coach, from senior scientists and policymakers to startup founders and board members.  

1. Clarify Your Role and Value

   Why were you invited? Maybe it’s your industry perspective, your lived experience, or your unique angle on the topic. Understanding your role helps you contribute meaningfully, and avoids the all-too-common trap of selling instead of sharing.

   The successful executives I’ve worked with clarify their purpose – and plan the ‘what’ and ‘how’ of their delivery to ensure they achieve it.

2. Engage With the Topic — Not Just Your Talking Points

   Panels are not mini-keynotes. The most compelling panellists prepare a few anchor ideas, but they stay present and nimble. Some of the best moments I’ve witnessed came from panellists who paused a moment, reflected on what was just said, and responded with insight rather than agenda.

3. Share Without Selling

   Your expertise matters, but your authenticity matters more. Successful panellists can fully engage the room when they tell a story or share a moment of honest reflection. Reference your work only when it’s relevant. Avoid promotional mode.

4. Be Mindful of Body Language

   People notice how you listen, not just how you speak. If you’re disengaged or distracted while others are talking, it shows. Positive presence – eye contact, nodding, engaged posture – builds credibility before you’ve said a word.

5. Listen Actively and Respond Thoughtfully

   This is one of the biggest shifts I see in strong panellists. They listen to what’s actually being said. They acknowledge, build on, or offer a new angle. They deepen the dialogue, instead of echoing it. Listening is something great leaders do well.

6. Speak With Clarity and Precision

   One of the best compliments a panellist can receive? “That made so much sense” or “I totally got what you were saying.” To achieve that kind of feedback, be clear about the message you’re sending. Deliver it concisely. Practice aloud.

7. Prioritise the Audience

   Consider what they need. Why are they attending this session? What will they find surprising, practical, or thought-provoking? I observed a health specialist who distilled a complex issue into a single takeaway that people still quoted days later. That takeaway came from preparing with the audience in mind. Start all your prep by thinking about the audience.

8. Be a Collaborative Presence

   Panels are conversations. Respect others’ airtime. Stay generous. A little warmth goes a long way. Some of the most impactful panellists I’ve seen are the ones who bring a spirit of curiosity and inclusion to the stage. It shows.

   
   

Red Shoe coaches help you make deliberate choices in communicating your executive presence. Contact us to learn more.

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