Every good speaker knows you need to build trust in the first minute of the speech. Use self deprecating humor, share something about your weaknesses and make relatable jokes- this makes people relax and see you as friend- not enemy.

When dealing with skeptics, I’ve found that light-heartedness, open-mindedness, curiosity, and transparency go a long way. I was working with a team resisting a new performance management system. Instead of jumping straight into facts or starting with WHY (which I typically would), I acknowledged their skepticism with a smile, saying, “I know, I know—another change! Just when you thought you’d finally figured out the last one, right?” This opened the door for an honest conversation. I listened to their concerns and shared a few quick wins other teams had experienced. Connecting on a human level made it easier to build trust and eventually gain their buy-in.

> Trust above all - Be honest and follow through on your promises > Skepticism is normal - accept it as such. > Everyone reacts to change differently. Take time to talk to each person and address their worries. > Make sure communication never stops - if it does rumors and skepticism explode.