An expert’s job is often to simplify complicated concepts so that other people, with less knowledge, can understand. So for Statisticians, Scientists, and all kinds of professionals, the value to the audience when you speak is defined by your ability to simplify, sometimes hugely complex things, so that your audience can use your knowledge in their lives.

Expertise is of neutral value unless you are able to communicate what you know to decision-makers, colleagues and senior technical leaders in a way that they can use.

It’s these definitions that set the baseline for understanding the application of your expertise. Don’t ever assume that everyone knows what ‘mortality assumptions’ means in actuarial accounting; or that ‘visual storytelling’ is anything other than marketing nonsense. If you don’t explain what it...