How can you use communication skills to build trust in a translational research project?

1 Understand your audience

Before you communicate with your translational research partners, you need to understand who they are, what they do, and what they need from you. This will help you tailor your message, language, and tone to suit their background, interests, and goals. For example, if you are a basic scientist talking to a clinician, you may need to explain your research methods, assumptions, and limitations in a clear and concise way, and avoid using jargon or acronyms that they may not be familiar with. On the other hand, if you are a clinician talking to a policy maker, you may need to emphasize the relevance, impact, and feasibility of your research findings, and avoid using technical or statistical terms that they may not understand.

2 Listen actively

Communication is not only about sending information, but also about receiving and processing it. Listening actively means paying attention to what your translational research partners are saying, showing interest and empathy, and asking questions to clarify or confirm your understanding. Active listening can help you build rapport, identify common ground, and address potential conflicts or misunderstandings. For example, if you are a researcher talking to a patient or a community member, you may need to listen to their experiences, perspectives, and concerns, and acknowledge their values and preferences. This can help you gain their trust, respect, and cooperation.

3 Adapt your style

Communication styles can vary depending on factors such as personality, culture, and context. Some people may prefer direct and assertive communication, while others may prefer indirect and polite communication. Some people may prefer formal and structured communication, while others may prefer informal and flexible communication. Some people may prefer verbal and visual communication, while others may prefer written and numerical communication. To communicate effectively with your translational research partners, you need to adapt your style to match theirs, or find a balance that works for both of you. For example, if you are a researcher talking to a stakeholder, you may need to adjust your level of detail, formality, and emotion, depending on their expectations and preferences.

4 Give and receive feedback

Feedback is an essential part of communication, as it allows you to evaluate your performance, improve your skills, and learn from your mistakes. Giving and receiving feedback can also help you build trust with your translational research partners, as it shows that you value their input, respect their opinions, and care about their satisfaction. However, feedback can also be challenging, as it can trigger defensive or negative reactions, especially if it is not delivered or received in a constructive and respectful way. To give and receive feedback effectively, you need to follow some basic principles, such as being specific, timely, relevant, and positive. For example, if you are a researcher giving feedback to a collaborator, you may need to focus on their strengths, provide concrete examples, suggest solutions, and express appreciation.

5 Resolve conflicts

Conflicts are inevitable in any collaborative project, especially in translational research, where different perspectives, values, and interests may clash. Conflicts can have negative effects on the quality, efficiency, and outcomes of the project, as well as on the relationships and trust among the partners. Therefore, it is important to resolve conflicts as soon as possible, before they escalate or damage the collaboration. To resolve conflicts effectively, you need to use some strategies, such as identifying the source and nature of the conflict, communicating openly and respectfully, seeking to understand and empathize with the other party, and finding a mutually acceptable solution. For example, if you are a researcher involved in a conflict with a partner, you may need to acknowledge the problem, listen to their point of view, express your feelings and needs, and negotiate a compromise.