Giving a Great Talk: On Zoom and in the Room

In a session titled "Giving a Great Talk: On Zoom and in the Room," presenters from UCSF, including Alona Frieden, Kelly Corduro, Wilson Leo, and Kanade Shinkai, shared insights on effective communication skills for delivering engaging presentations. They emphasized that giving a good talk is a learnable skill, achievable through practice and improvement over time, regardless of whether the speaker is an introvert or extrovert. Key principles discussed included understanding the audience, engaging content, and the presenter's energy and enthusiasm about the topic. The team, composed of academic dermatologists with diverse backgrounds, addressed adapting talks for various audiences and emphasized the importance of delivering a clear message. They encouraged interactivity, inviting participants to share their experiences and goals for improving their speaking skills. The session focused on conceptualizing, organizing presentations, and developing effective slides to enhance audience engagement. The presenters acknowledged challenges of virtual platforms and provided tips for sustaining energy and connection with the audience during online talks, highlighting the significance of genuine passion for the topic at hand. Overall, the workshop aimed to equip attendees with practical strategies to improve their public speaking capabilities.