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The Illinois Science Council recently published a somewhat humorous document called Bad Presentation Bingo, filled with 24 habits of ineffective presenters. After glancing over the first page of the document, the second delivers some rationale about why you should avoid some of those habits.
From the document:
For the good of science, you are strongly encouraged to continually improve your communication skills just as you would your research. Please practice being a good presenter and avoid bad presentation habits – especially when speaking to a non-scientific audience. The future of science funding depends on good communication to non-scientists.
This is true of any field. Good education funding depends on being able to communicate needs to people who are not steeped in the world of education. Good arts funding requires the aid of non-artists. Medical research depends on the wealth of people who are not doctors or surgeons.
Being an effective communicator means you can explain your ideas to people who have different interests and expertise. A preacher never gets far by directing his message to the choir, so think about that next time you have opportunity to present your passions and ideas to others. Will they get it? If not, how can you communicate it better?
While you’re working on that, be sure to give Bad Presentation Bingo a download.
