Many people think I am a journalist, and I relish the fact I come from a humanistic background. As a crisis counsellor, behaviouralist and curator (my masters degree research explored prosocial leadership in action), I’ve trained for more than 20 years to help people make meaning of the life inside and around them. Inside an interview setting, it’s a privilege to delve intimately into what makes a person think, feel and act in the world. To get the best from this, I research with my head but ask questions from my heart. This helps the conversation get to the heart of what matters.

Because I’m obsessed with philosophy, economics and relationships, my operating frame is one of how to apply systems thinking, and human genius to the way we live and work. I’m not a person who exposes, rather uncovers truths and insight that provides place for consideration over judgement. Indeed, my conversations aim to elicit hope and possibility for all involved with a healthy dose of ‘what can we do about it’?  

Too much of today’s world is fixated on the certainty of picking a side. This limited aspect creates division and a rush to settling on beliefs for fear of the discomfort in not knowing. I believe this suffocates our imagination, intellect and curiosity which can lead to apathy. Passiveness is not a desired state when the world needs increased civic responsibility and ethical, coherent decision making that lead to a fair and just experience for all in our community. If I could choose future skills that need to be developed they would be critical reasoning (how to think better) and relating to self and others.

So, when I am in a deep conversation with the person I am interviewing, I am keen to ensure the conversation spans societal, political, emotional and environmental factors and to reach into what is not being said where appropriate. Unearthing wisdom, insights and encouraging the audience to think differently and explore their own points of view by suspending judgement for a moment, and to consider the content they are experiencing through the thought leader.

At the end of Human Rights Lawyer, Amal Clooney’s interview, she said “your questions are very thought provoking, I’m going to go away and think more about them.”

Panel moderation echoes the skill of interviewing, albeit the obvious difference of several people to interact within the conversation. Conversations span incredibly diverse content and knowledge, and this motivates me to no end! As a curator it speaks to my intense desire to collect vast wisdom and knowledge, and make it mean something.

Much like interviewing, panel moderation requires a great deal of preparation and design. There are three views for a moderator to consider:

• The organisers intent

• The panellists’ insight

• The audiences’ interest

One of the keys to successful moderation of conversation is that these three areas align. Preparation really is key here. The pre-briefing is instrumental to success. As a moderator I explore several aspects before building a bank of questions that create an interesting and provoking narrative.

1. What is the key insight to this topic?

2. What really wants or needs to be said above all else?

3. What could be controversial?

4. Where is this conversation not going?

5. Why should anyone care to listen? What would I be thinking if I were an audience member?

6. What can we reduce this conversation from, to apply action?

In the pre-briefing’s I like to get to know the panellists, and understand their nature and genius. Together we set expectations, and I provide guidance on the style of panel we are entering into together. After these considerations, the time on stage is about comfort, rapport, energy levels and relaxed engagement to discuss and explore the key topic together!

When engaging with the panel on the day, I equally engage with the audience. With many techniques to elicit abundant, intelligent questions from the room, panel experiences really are a conversation rather than a simple Q&A session.