Life is about timing.

Carl Lewis (*1961)
US athlete and UN Goodwill Ambassador

Keeping to the allotted time is no easy task. Usually, we will be asked by an organiser to keep our workshop or presentation within a limited period. This is a chance for you to prove your professionalism by sticking to this time limit. You don’t get more important by talking for longer than required! This is a basic requirement for all roles of a moderator.

The KISS principle.
The KISS principle.

Have you ever tried voice recording? You can programme your complete presentation, including different timings for each slide, and record your voice-over. Thus, you can run your presentation without being there! On the other hand this offers a good test run for your timing. If you are asked to speak for eight minutes and 30 seconds —voilà, you will deliver.

You won’t keep it short and simple (KISS) by talking quicker but by being better prepared. It’s your task as a presenter to reduce the content to the most important elements. Therefore, go back to your objectives and delete whatever is irrelevant to the core issues. Repeat the process until you can fit it into the allotted time.

To make sure you keep to time, ask a friend or a participant sitting towards the back (and without the other participants seeing) to indicate how many minutes are left, or even to count down the seconds with his or her fingers!

Timing: Moderator is a time keeper.
As moderator you are also a time keeper. Therefor, it’s useful to have a clock at the opposite side of the room. So, you can keep an eye on the time without the audience noticing it.

Basic Rules

A trusting environment is necessary to reach your workshop objectives. Therefore, participants need to feel secure. A set of basic rules and regulations helps overcome initial insecurity.

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The Art of Questioning

Who asks, leads. The method of questioning is the most powerful tool in the hands of a moderator. Questioning allows you to lead the discussion in certain directions.

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Karpman Drama Triangle

The Karpman Drama Triangle, first described by Stephen Karpman, is used in psychology and psychotherapy. Nonetheless, it’s useful to be aware of it.

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Six Balances in a group

An excellent workshop is always a balance of several factors — depending on the audience. Generally, you'll find six balances in a group.

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Group process

A group process is a chain of several steps a certain group goes through. It refers to their behaviour and interactions.

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Moderation Cycle

The model of a Moderation Cycle envisages six work phases, which build on each other.

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Workshop Leader

The moderator of a seminar or workshop is a workshop leader who leads a group to results, but he is not the leader of the group.

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Roles of a Moderator

The roles of moderator or facilitator might change during one single programme. Know what's your job!

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