There is an invisible tax to not giving a good presentation.

And this may especially affect scientists early in their careers.

 

Because if you don’t give a good presentation, your audience won’t listen.

And if they don’t listen, they won’t remember.

 

But this is so much bigger than having a few people lose interest during your talk.

 

Because:

They won’t think of you when a relevant project comes up.

They may not approach you after your talk because they didn’t really follow it — and now they feel awkward starting a conversation.

And they may not see you as the expert you actually are.

 

As a scientist, you do important work. People should be able to enjoy, understand, and remember it. Remember the person behind it.

Just because the tax is invisible doesn’t mean you don’t pay it.

You just don’t get to see all the opportunities you quietly lost because of it.

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A photo from an Indian wedding – with some not-that-invisible jewelry. 😄