Not necessarily easier, just different.
Many people think it’s easier to take part in a fireside chat or participate in a panel than to deliver a full presentation. And while there may be some truth to that, I think there’s a trade-off. After all, a conversation that looks effortless onstage can take quite a bit of thought behind the scenes. In this week’s video, I share both conventional wisdom and unexpected tips, including a few tactics you might not expect me to recommend.
One thing I’ve come to appreciate is that a good conversation needs room to breathe. You want to be prepared enough to know where you’re headed, but flexible enough to recognize when something unexpected is worth exploring. That balance can be harder to strike than it sounds, especially when you’re responsible for keeping a conversation moving, making your guests comfortable, and giving the audience a reason to stay engaged.
Mostly have some fun when you moderate, as my friend Steve Blank and I did throughout this 2014 GSB Ignite Meetup Event.
And then there are the little touches that can make a surprisingly big difference.
How do you open a conversation without losing the audience in the first few minutes? How much preparation is enough? And what do you do when a conversation starts heading in a direction you didn’t intend?
I also share a few lessons I’ve picked up from people I admire, like Scott Kirsner, a thought leader on the skill of moderation. My video even includes one piece of advice that challenged an approach I’d been recommending for years, even in a previous edition of CommMatters. I hope you’ll invest ten minutes to give it a watch. You may find that a few small changes make a considerable difference.
Speakers Sought for TEDx Hayes Valley
I’m delighted to share that we’ve received more than 120 applications from individuals interested in speaking at our inaugural TEDx Hayes Valley event on February 6, 2027! Applications to speak close soon, but I’m especially eager to hear from people with a connection to Hayes Valley and the surrounding neighborhoods in SF.
Apply to Speak at TEDxHayesValley
On my first day wearing my TEDx HayesValley shirt, I ran into Nick Martell from The Best One Yet (TBOY) podcast at Shack 15 and had to snap a selfie.
Do you know an artist, author, or AI founder with a meaningful connection to our 19-block corner of San Francisco? I’d be grateful if you’d share this opportunity with them. We’re looking for ideas worth spreading that are rooted in the people, creativity, and curiosity of our community of Hayes Valley. If someone just learned about the opportunity and is eager to apply but the October 15 application deadline feels too constrained, reply here. We may be able to extend the deadline for the right applicants and would love to see what we can do.
Curious about what inspired me to bring TEDx to Hayes Valley? I recently shared some of that story as a guest on the SHACK15 podcast. Give it a listen!
Talk of the Week
Take a look at this video for a Master Class demonstration for anyone moderating a fireside chat. Amanda Facelle does a remarkable job at bonding with this luminary for a rich and widely shared conversation. But Amanda asks Oprah several questions at once, she laughs, “Okay, that’s a lot of questions.” We can pull from this as a reminder that a moderator shouldn’t ask everything at once. A focused question gives a guest room to explore an idea to lead to a more interesting exchange.
JD’s Recommendations: What I’m Reading, Hearing & Viewing
- Reading: Inspired by ComNet 2026’s fireside chat with award-winning novelist (and fellow USC faculty member) Percival Everett, I finished his acclaimed novel James, which retells Huckleberry Finn from Jim’s perspective. Incredibly powerful.
- Hearing: Chris Lipp discusses personal power and workplace culture on Speaking of Meaning, a podcast by Ibrahim Mo I’ve only recently discovered.
- Viewing: Because I’ve always admired actor Alan Alda’s commitment to helping scientists communicate more clearly, I wanted to share this conversation in which he reflects on his remarkable life and the challenges he’s faced. (Thanks to my loyal friend, reader and editor Paul Hufstedler for this suggestion.)
My hope for you this week is that you look for ways to amplify remarkable conversations, whether from a conference stage or within your workplace. The world needs to hear new and compelling voices. It’s our opportunity to provide them.
All the best,
jds
PS: For my readers in Indonesia, I’ll be in Jakarta next month for the MMA IMPACT 2026 Conference, where I’ll be delivering a keynote. I’m also hosting a four-hour Master Class on leadership communication for a limited group of senior leaders on Friday, November 6, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. at the Ritz-Carlton Mega Kuningan. Watch this short video to learn more, and visit this page for registration details. I hope to see some of you there!
