How did you start your moderation journey?
My moderation journey began early on in my career, where key accountabilities in my roles required me to represent and advocate for my department at committee meetings and to also facilitate productive discussions between the internal stakeholders of the organisation and an eclectic mix of external stakeholders. Over time, I honed my skills in creating an inclusive environment for diverse perspectives in many different forums. In each of my professional positions, I have chaired or moderated a group in some way.
As I became more senior and specialised in my own field of work, I was invited to speak at conferences as part of panels or to be a key attendee of roundtable discussions for senior professionals. This led to being invited to facilitate discussions in smaller breakout groups at the conferences as an addendum to my panel participation. I have now been invited to formally moderate a group of specialists, such as those events organised by The Ortus Club.
What do you find most exciting about moderating?
What I find most exciting about moderating is being able to create a structured and engaging environment where different viewpoints and expertise come together. I really enjoy managing and adapting the flow of dialogue, engaging with speakers, and ensuring that every participant’s voice is heard by finding an appropriate segue without breaking up the conversation context. It definitely keeps me on my toes!
The challenge of guiding a conversation appropriately, staying focused, and on-topic is incredibly fulfilling – moderating can lead to actionable outcomes and new insights. Every session is an opportunity to learn from others while also contributing my expertise to shape the conversation productively.
How do you typically prepare to moderate an Ortus event?
The Ortus Club is extremely communicative and helpful. They bring together the team who will be there on the day and the ones behind the scenes making it all happen, to ensure the dynamics of the group can seamlessly translate into smooth cohesion. The discussion allows me to ask what the key topics are on which to focus. The Ortus Club provides some facilitatory questions to get the discussion going, as well as a list of attendees’ roles and organisations.
I ensure I familiarise myself with the names and ‘product’ of each attendee so that it may facilitate me in facilitating the conversation. I believe participants feel included if you address them by their name and show you have some insight into their organisation or experience.
What tips and tricks would you recommend for those aspiring to become moderators?
Becoming an effective moderator requires a combination of:
- Preparation – such as knowing the session’s content, its objective, and desired outcome to allow you to engage meaningfully, and address gaps in the conversation.
- Interpersonal skills – such as mastering active listening to allow you to ask insightful follow-up questions, summarise discussions clearly, and keep the conversation on track. A good moderator encourages quieter participants to speak up when you show you understand their perspective.
- Adaptability — such as understanding that every discussion or panel is different, to allow you to pivot or adjust the flow of the conversation based on how the session develops. Understand their perspectives and encourage them to be open and collaborative during the discussion.
In what ways has moderating contributed to your growth as a leader in your field?
Moderating has significantly contributed to my growth as a leader in my field by helping me develop key skills that are essential for effective leadership. I have grown in the practice of leading discussions and asking pertinent but open-ended questions. Active listening has been fundamental in building trust and fostering collaboration. No person is an island. Moderating has also enhanced my decision-making abilities, where I have had to make quick decisions about steering conversations in the right direction.
It was also a good lesson that you don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room; you don’t have to be the expert of the experts – a leader creates opportunity for others to lead.
How has moderating contributed to your personal and professional growth?
Moderating has contributed to my personal growth by fostering my emotional intelligence and deepening my ability to lead with empathy. It has broadened the way I maintain composure and have presence while engaging with diverse audiences.
Moderating has contributed to my professional growth by expanding my network to other specialists and leaders in fields other than my own, allowing me to broaden my knowledge in both topics, trends, and sectors.
