Look away from the audience Look at Yourself, and With a large grin on your face, say to yourself — that was a really funny joke! Only people like me would get it! It always stirs laughter, Not at the Joke, But your reaction to it.

I wish I could say that’s never happened to me, but it has happened on more than one occasion. A great comeback is, “and that’s why I’m not an expert in humor, I’m an expert in… “ or “ Clearly humor is not my strong point, it’s a good thing what I’m going to be talking about is…”

Call it out! When in doubt - be more human. It's funny - and it's only funny because it's uncommon in public speaking engagements.

Well, when your joke doesn’t land, embrace it with humour. For example, you could say, “Well, I see we have a tough crowd tonight, good thing I didn’t quit my day job!” Or you could just pause, smile, and casually add, “I’ll let that one marinate for a bit.” Sometimes, owning the moment and making light of the silence is the best way to win them over and move on smoothly!

Simply continue your speech. The reality is, not everything we say will resonate with everyone. Some will laugh, some won’t—and that’s okay. In leadership talks, I find my speeches often include political humor. Those who stay informed get the joke; those who don’t may miss it, and that’s part of connecting with a diverse audience. Even the best stand-up comedians know some jokes will land better than others. So, rather than let the moment get awkward, I keep moving forward, knowing the next point will impact my audience.