As scientists, we are taught to communicate in a very specific language at very specific times, mainly during a lectures or conferences. Building communication skills outside of these defined communication periods proves to be difficult. Luckily, other outlets for scientific communication do exist, the Nature Network being one of them. But what really makes one a good communicator and what are they ways in which we, as scientists, can improve our communication skills (in science and outside of the lab alike)?

Last night I went to a talk sponsored by the Columbia University Biotechnology Association where the speaker, Nick Colucci, sought to answer these questions. Colucci is a scientist-turned-healthcare communications CEO at Publicis Healthcare here in New York. He offered some valuable advice on how was can effectively communicate with both scientists and others. He stressed the importance of body gestures such as eye contact and the appropriate stance one should have when communicating with more than one person at a time. He even suggested that one can practice their communication skills by joining the Toastmasters International. However, his most important piece of advice was to be self-aware. In essence, knowing both your strengths and weaknesses will help to make your more confident and give others a better idea of your skill set. This will help to make you more successful, both in an out of science.

In the end, I walked out of the talk with the knowledge that succeeding in science goes beyond laboratory skills… and, hopefully, a better idea of how to gain those skills.