The Speaking Club: Mastering the Art of Public Speaking

What Moderating World Leaders Taught Me About Great Communication with Xenia Wickett - 343

July 30, 2026·1h 3m
Episode Description from the Publisher

Let's be honest... Most of us think moderating a panel is just introducing the speakers, asking a few questions and making sure nobody waffles on for too long. Turns out... it's a little more complicated than that. Xenia Wickett has moderated conversations with some of the most influential people in the world, CEOs and senior policymakers including people like Elon Musk and Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Xenia has spent her career working at the highest levels of international affairs, advising governments and businesses, and moderating conversations. In this episode she shares what she's learned about guiding discussions, managing disagreement, reading an audience and asking the kinds of questions that unlock genuinely interesting conversations. Whether you ever plan to chair a panel or not, you'll come away with ideas that will make you a better speaker, interviewer and communicator. What you'll discover: • How Xenia found herself moderating some of the world's biggest conversations • Why moderation is far more than asking questions and keeping time • What interviewing CEOs and world leaders taught her about communication • How to challenge influential people without becoming confrontational • The subtle signs a conversation is losing the audience • How to keep discussions productive when opinions collide • The mistake many speakers make that frustrates moderators • Why listening is often a communicator's greatest superpower • Practical advice if you'd like to moderate panels yourself • The communication habits every speaker can borrow from great moderators Enjoy! If you'd like to watch the video of the episode, you can do that on our YouTube Channel shortly.  Guest Information: Website: www.wickettadvisory.com Xenia's Blog: https://www.wickettadvisory.com/blog  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xenia-wickett-2686b0  Books & Resources*: Winnie the Pooh by A.A.Milne TEDx | 5 Tips for Asking Better Questions, Xenia Wickett: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IuyCJUJgDk  You can find Xenia's interview with Elon Musk here:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWCfqBb0YTE Blog: How to Moderate Powerful Conversations: https://www.wickettadvisory.com/post/how-to-moderate-powerful-conversations [Quick Tip] Talk Flow Tips: Create Seamless Transitions Like a Pro, Episode 326   Speaking Resources: Grab Your From Blank Page to Stage Guide and Nail the Topic for a Client Winning Talk: https://saraharcher.co.uk/newguide-tsc  Want to get better at finding and sharing your stories then check out our FREE Five Day Snackable Story Challenge: https://www.saraharcher.co.uk/challenge  To share your thoughts:                                                   ·   leave a comment below. ·   Share this show on Facebook or LinkedIn.   To help the show out: ·   Leave an honest review at https://www.ratethispodcast.com/tsc. Your ratings and reviews really help get the word out and I read each one. *(please note if you use my link I get a small commission, but this does not affect your payment)

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