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How do you make scientific expertise memorable? How do you explain complex ideas so that people understand them, and act on them? And how do you stay composed when speaking in front of an audience, leading a discussion or facing a difficult question?
These were some of the questions explored during the first YPL Communication Lab, a six-week communication workshop series developed and facilitated by Katharina Kölbl, who leads communications at IAP and is a TÜV-certified Communication Trainer.
The programme was created in response to requests from Young Physician Leaders who had expressed a desire to strengthen their communication skills during discussions at the YPL meeting in Berlin. What started as an idea quickly evolved into an intensive, practice-based learning experience designed specifically for physicians and public health professionals.
Over six weekly sessions, participants explored how to communicate their expertise with greater clarity and impact. Topics included storytelling, speech structures, powerful openings and endings, executive presence on stage and online, communicating complex topics to non-specialist audiences, and managing nervousness and blackouts during high-stakes speaking situations.
Unlike traditional training programmes that focus primarily on theory, the YPL Communication Lab was built around practice. Each two-hour session combined a short input segment with extensive opportunities to apply new techniques through speeches, exercises, peer feedback and discussion. By the end of the programme, participants had delivered six speeches and received personalised feedback throughout the process.
What made the programme particularly special was the diversity of the group. Young Physician Leaders from different regions, specialties and professional backgrounds came together with a shared goal: becoming more effective communicators and leaders. Throughout the six weeks, participants not only learned new techniques but also supported one another, exchanged perspectives and grew in confidence.
The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. One participant reflected:
“This programme has helped me grow as a professional speaker in ways I did not expect, and because of that I firmly believe that everyone who needs to communicate efficiently should take it.”
Beyond the group sessions, several participants also received individual coaching support for real-world communication challenges, including preparing for career interviews, refining presentations aimed at inspiring future public health leaders and strengthening keynote presentations for upcoming international events.
The pilot demonstrated something many professionals discover only later in their careers: expertise alone is rarely enough. Whether advocating for public health, influencing policy, leading teams or engaging communities, the ability to communicate clearly and authentically is essential for creating impact.
The success of the YPL Communication Lab highlights the growing importance of communication skills in leadership development and reflects the Young Physician Leaders Programme's commitment to preparing future health leaders not only to generate knowledge, but also to inspire action through it.
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