Recognising the peer-review monster

The term 'expert' can be slightly subjective at times. Is an expert someone who has studied a topic for a few years, or the academic who's published the most papers? Is it the manager with a boardroom position in a company, or the worker who's been 'on the tools' for decades?

Well, it depends on who you're talking to and why. Is your 'audience' a shareholder meeting, a media interview, a town hall meeting, or within a team of colleagues? It also depends on the field in which you're working. Are you in a large and competitive industry, or are there a handful of people in the world in your area of research?

There are other factors at play too: imposter syndrome and low self-confidence have a major impact on the willingness to communicate, especially outwith peer groups.

One thing is for sure, an expert doesn't have to be the most confident, or the loudest, person in the room. By combining the knowledge you have of your profession, discipline, or research with effective communication skills, you can arm yourself with the tools you need to become what most people would regard as an 'expert'.

One major hurdle to overcome is the peer-review monster. Academics will know this monster well, as it surfaces from an early stage in your research career (professionals in other industries will recognise the monster too, in the form of imposter syndrome).

The peer-review monster is that little voice of doubt in your head when you're asked to be 'the expert'. It can raise its ugly head at any time, whether your conducting a media interview, or speaking to school children. It'll query whether you're knowledgeable enough. It'll make you feel like someone else should be in your place. It will make you wonder if that explanation you gave was simplified too much!

At Paterson Communications, we address such concerns and help you recognise the peer-review monster. By preparing your key messages and how they are delivered, we can help you minimise anxieties and doubts when you have the opportunity to be 'the expert'.