Finding your voice is easier said than done (all puns intended). Taking part in AVIXA’s various councils has given me the platform to grow in my #proAV career. As someone who is passionate about #diversity, it was a blessing to be featured on such a stellar lineup for the AVIXA’s Diversity Council webinar this season: Mastering the Art of the Inclusive and Engaging Panel!

Seeds to Cultivate Discussion

Being intentional and inclusive in your curation of content will make your prep time more efficient. As a former copywriter, I tend to find a creative drive when helping produce scripts and crafting questions. Being able to write thoughtful questions is indeed an art form, with the ability to showcase diversity of thought in the marketplace of ideas. Leading with curiosity over conflict is the best way to move the conversation forward. Keeping the flow of the panel consistent while validating thoughts from the panel can help keep the discussion vulnerable and bold. At the end of the day, the prep time should be used for managing excessive conversational noise and building rapport.  

Moderator: Host versus Hero 

While meeting equity has been the buzz term in recent years, dialogue equity on a panel is of equal importance. Moderators have a responsibility to gatekeep the flow of the panel, acting as a gracious conductor of ideas. One thing I’ve learned in moderation is interrupting the interrupters. Oftentimes, larger personalities can tend to take up too much real estate in the conversation, and ensuring all speakers are equally represented is essential. Pausing can also be powerful, giving space for the speakers and audience to digest the growing conversation. Ultimately, interaction is the main selling point in a panel, and moderators must cultivate that whether on stage or virtually.

Engagement Through Empowerment  

Temptations like negative self-talk and self-sabotage can have a great effect on how you present yourself on a panel. Lack of rest can also be an obstacle to creative conversations. I’ve learned from my brief artistic days that great role playing (specifically acting) stems from how you react to a person's energy, and how that response will hopefully evoke an emotion from the audience. Providing commentary on a panel that is collaborative and not combative can also set the tone for a fun, engaging discussion. And lastly, the infamous improv exercise of the "yes-and" in conversation can help move the discussion forward and build upon new and even dynamic ideas.

Authenticity is Currency

My final takeaway from the webinar was to show up as your authentic self. Code switching can be a natural tendency, especially for those hailing from diverse social backgrounds. Much of this need to switch between accents and expressions can be rooted in being uncomfortable in your surroundings. I have learned on past panels and events that matching delivery with content can help set the tone for this. In addition, the key to comfort is being authentic and knowing yourself. It's human nature to be nervous for a panel, as I've learned to tell myself that my anxiousness is rooted in both caring about the topic and the quality I want to deliver. Never forget, your message is bigger than your fear!

A huge thank you to our AVIXA Diversity Council royalty @Jennifer Steinhardt and @Frank Padikkala, as well as my new friend @Laurel Barrette for this amazing event. Tune into the full webinar recording here, here's a fun little snippet below!