How do you typically prepare to moderate an Ortus event?
I’m a firm believer that thorough preparation is absolutely key to having a successful event, and this covers three areas: the host, the topic, and the guests. I always conduct open-source research on the host to understand their offerings and how they support their clients. This is supplemented by speaking with them on the dry run ahead of the event itself. I ensure that I’m clear on the topic and the three supplementary questions, reading up on the latest developments on the themes involved and noting any relevant facts and statistics to bring those into sharper focus.
I’ve long found that knowing the audience is vital, so prior to the event, I also research each guest to understand who they are, the company they represent, and the sector that they work in. The dry run is always a great help, allowing me to clarify the key points or secondary questions that the host might wish to be covered. I also use that occasion to be clear on the role each member of the host’s team will play at the event. Once I have the information to hand, I then game the event, considering the flow of the discussion and how best to quarterback the conversation to ensure a successful event.
What tips and tricks would you recommend for those aspiring to become moderators?
Firstly, be curious. It is rare that you will be an expert on the theme to be discussed, but the good news is that you’re not supposed to. However, be sure to understand the basics of the topic and spend some time researching what is happening within it. Remember: Your role as a moderator is to be the oil that keeps the machinery of the conversation moving smoothly, not to be part of that machinery. I always start my events with a short scene setting, putting the theme into context with current trends and news.
Secondly, before the event, be absolutely clear on the expectations for the event, on what the host wants from it, on the format and how it will be run, and on the timings involved. As a moderator, the group will look to you to keep the conversation flowing, asking the questions to be covered, and ensuring that the timetable for the evening is adhered to.
Thirdly, read the room and let the conversation flow. A great event will see participation from the guests and hosts happening almost without your influence, with guests picking up the strands of the discussion themselves. Take charge if things get too energetic or the conversation strays too far off-topic, bringing it back to the main points and themes. Be aware of who has spoken to ensure that all have an opportunity to do so, and don’t be afraid of cutting in—politely, of course—if a participant speaks for too long. Ultimately, you want the guests to leave feeling that they’ve made a contribution and learned something from the event, not that they’ve been sold to or force-fed information. Finally, as the finish time approaches, bring the conversation to a close, recognising that we all have busy diaries.
Could you share some memorable moments from your moderating experiences?
I thoroughly enjoy moderating Ortus events, and no two are the same, no matter where the host and theme are. I’ve particularly enjoyed learning about new aspects of issues and industry sectors that I previously had little direct experience with and seeing how so many issues being faced are common across those sectors, even if the nuances are different.
In what ways has moderating contributed to your growth as a leader in your field?
Moderating has undoubtedly helped me to expand my understanding of the peculiarities of different industrial sectors and to see an issue or a topic I thought I understood from a fresh perspective. Of course, the events themselves are also excellent opportunities to expand your network and meet a wide variety of informed, insightful leaders.
What are some of your hobbies and interests outside of moderating?
Outside of moderating, I’m an active member of a successful amateur theatre group, and enjoy acting and helping to put on productions—a very helpful hobby for moderating!
What advice would you offer to aspiring moderators?
Enjoy listening to people’s stories. As leaders and managers, we’re forever bombarded with the need to speak and to stand out from the crowd. As a moderator, you’re there to give others the opportunity to share their perspectives, their experiences, and their stories, whoever they may be. The only way to do that well is to actively listen to them and coax them to get their insights across.
