As a researcher, you’ll go through a variety of experiences, and all of them will challenge you and grow your knowledge. Expanding your career isn’t always full of things you want to do, but each experience can provide you with new information and insights about yourself and your role. One of the least favorite parts of research for many academic scholars is the verbal communication aspect.

You might be an amazing writer, able to communicate difficult concepts clearly and concisely with the right word choice (settled on after hours of grueling consideration behind a computer screen). But putting you in front of an audience has you stuttering like Rain Man or Spongebob (whichever comparison you feel more accurately describes your abilities). This doesn’t have to be the case, though. With these simple steps, you can improve your verbal communication in formal and informal situations. 

The Importance of Verbal Communication as a Presenter

Communication is vital at every stage of the research career. This includes written and verbal contact. You’ll communicate with peers, funders, supervisors, and other people, and how you talk to them can impact your professional reputation.

This is particularly true when you present your findings to an audience. If you are unable to communicate well, you may come across as rude, short, or, even worse, unprofessional and unknowledgeable. Before you step in front of another person, read these tips to improve your verbal communication skills.

3 Simple Steps to Improve Your Verbal Communication Skills

There are three phrases to remind yourself of when you speak to anyone else: Think Carefully, Speak Clearly, and Be Confident. These three terms will get you through every presentation you make, and every information interaction you find yourself involved in.

Step one is to think before you open your mouth. Is what you’re about to say going to come across the way you intend for it to, or could it be misconstrued as unprofessional or rude? Let the audience know that you sometimes pause in conversations to ensure that what you’re going to say comes out the way you want it to, and they’re almost always understanding. Use that pause to organize your thoughts. This usually goes a lot faster than you expect it to, and taking those few seconds to process your thoughts can save you hours of backtracking and explaining what you really meant.

Step two is to go from A to B to C. Sound confusing? Think back to the last time you had a conversation with an extrovert. Chances are, the point they were trying to make took a while to get to, and in the end, you were wondering why they couldn’t just go from A to B without making dozens of detours in the conversation. Because they were confident in their storytelling abilities, they were able to connect the dots to some degree and get back to Point B eventually. You, on the other hand, are working toward growing that ability, and you should always go from A to B to C, without detours.

Step three is to have confidence in yourself. Even if you don’t have the confidence yet, no one knows that but you. So, you can fake it with a few physical cues. Stand straight, keep your hands to your sides (not crossed in front of you), make eye contact, and speak clearly. Project your voice, varying your tone to show your audience you’re enthusiastic about the topic. There’s nothing more likely to put an audience to sleep than a monotone speaker.

Let Impactio Help You Get Ready for Your Next Presentation

Looking for ways to improve your confidence and build your scholarly reputation? Start at Impactio, America’s leading platform for scientific networking.

For many of us, it’s easier to be confident behind the computer screen. Take the time to set up your profile, build your academic CV, and compose texts to other professionals with the anonymity of the internet helping you. Impactio gives you the opportunity to connect with scientific experts around the globe and the tools to improve your research publishing. With a strong background supporting you, it’s easy to grow the confidence you need to impress your next verbal audience, and Impactio can help you do the job.