The Commitment


Agreeing to give a scientific talk of whatever length implies a significant commitment to the audience. If you are not willing to make this commitment, you should not speak. Your commitment—to make your best effort to be both interesting and informative—includes proper preparation of your talk and visual aids, as well as attention to delivering your message in the most effective way possible. It is easy to identify the speaker who is genuinely pleased to have the opportunity to share ideas and appreciates the audience’s time and attention. This speaker skillfully and confidently delivers a clear, concise talk that is responsive to the audience’s needs and level of understanding. An audience is entitled to expect that respect from every speaker.

We have all seen scientists who apparently believe that the science they present when speaking in a professional environment is all that is important (“the data speak for themselves” syndrome). Nothing else matters if it is “good science.” They are scientists, not show people, right? Wrong. You have to be both for the audience to absorb and retain the most from your scientific presentation. You present yourself as well as the subject matter every time you stand in front of an audience. This is not to say that a polished delivery is more important than content, but how well you present your material directly impacts how well it is received. Acknowledging this fact is a large part of the commitment you make in agreeing to speak.

When addressing your peers and colleagues, it is in your best professional interest to take the commitment seriously. Bad talks reflect poorly on your competence and/or demonstrate an enormous ego and disregard for your audience, any and all of which will not improve your standing within your professional community.

Remember—giving a good scientific talk is never effortless.