Our November Diverse Voices Chairing Essentials event, hosted by sponsor Muse, was another lively learning and networking session. Combining a quiz, interactive scenarios, expert and peer tips plus networking time, the event focused on navigating tough chairing situations, facilitating inclusive discussion, and refining presentation skills.
Chairing Scenarios
Participants, led by Abiola Ogunsami, took a crack at managing difficult chairing situations as Gillian Harrison, Rukhsana Anwar and Shannon Conway (normally lovely and reasonable professionals!) played oxygen-eating and belligerent panellists and an aggressive questioner. Future of GM’s Lisa Taylor, a long-time chair, then demonstrated techniques for tough scenarios, emphasising warmth, trust-building, and the importance of pre-session briefings.
Key takeaways for navigating tough chairing sessions:
- Diplomatic Engagement: Move the conversation forward by summarising or inviting new perspectives. Stay neutral and seek any common ground.
- Language and Listening: Focus on positive, diplomatic language. Respect polarised opinions by identifying any insights that can bring the conversation back on track.
- Practical Protocols: Agree guidelines with panellists at the start. Politely interrupt if necessary (e.g., “I’ll pause you there so we can hear from others”). Alert people to Q&A and manage it fairly.
More general chairing tips included:
- Pre-Event Prep: Research host (and their reason for inviting you), speakers, and audience. Connect with panellists in advance.
- On-the-Day: Be an attentive “connector” who ties together discussion threads, ensures balanced participation, and brings energy and authenticity to the session.
- Post-Event Actions: Build connections and share reflections, potentially evolving into a professional speaker.
Speaker Showcase
November’s event also featured four 3-slide, 3-minute presentations, giving participants a chance to hone public speaking and feedback skills. Wide-ranging topics were:
- The Importance of Work Experience and Mentorship for Young People by Abiola Ogunsami
- Inclusivity Lessons from Cat Care by Edgar To
- Female Genital Mutilation in the UK by Dr Adebola Ogungbadejo
- Productivity and Wellbeing by Daniel Sexton
Find presenting tips and reflections from the Showcase here.
The Diverse Voices Essentials series continues to provide impactful small-group learning opportunities, offering a safe space for discussion and practice plus real connection with senior practitioners. Watch this space for more Essentials sessions and bigger events.
Background: Diverse Voices was launched in 2024 thanks to kickstart sponsorship from award-winning developer Muse Places, who also host sessions and join as mentors, speakers and participants. They were joined in summer by FoGM core sponsor Hatch Urban Solutions, whose Senior Social Value Consultant Sarah Richards contributed notes for this write up. Huge thanks to both teams and see you in 2025!
Thanks to all who took part…
- Melanie Cook – Communications Business Partner , Manchester City Council
- Harriett Noall – District Centres Project Manager, Manchester City Council
- Dr Adebola Ogungbadejo – Director, CIC Change Agent
- Abiola Ogunsami – Graduate Development Manager, Muse
- Omer Osman – Associate, Cartwright Pickard
- Sarah Richards – Senior Consultant, Hatch
- Ruy Scalamandre – Research Consultant, Hatch
- Daniel Sexton – Associate, Trowers & Hamlins
- Mo Shirazi – Estates Manager, CBRE
- Edgar To – Graduate, University of Sheffield
…including our volunteer mentors:
- Ru Anwar – Partner, Trowers & Hamlins
- Shannon Conway – Co-Founder, Picture This
- Danny Crump – Director of Urbanism, Layer Studio
- Gillian Harrison – Senior Associate, Levitt Bernstein
- Phil Marsden – Managing Director North West, Muse Places