Let the Audience Decide Your Topic

The key word here is “want.”

Find out what your audience wants and then focus your message on that.

This may not be the same as what they “need.”

You may have a harder sell if you focus on fulfilling their need, even if they understand why.

For example, your audience may want a piece of chocolate cake but need healthier food options. Show them a delicious-looking chocolate cake, and you’ll have their attention. Show them carrots and tell them it's good for them – eh – they may or may not indulge. Perhaps after their tummy hurts from eating too much cake, then you might have better success at acceptance about showcasing healthier food options.

Let’s look at this from another angle. You inform staff about upcoming budget cuts due to financial constraints.

How you approach this messaging is vital.

Employees may not warmly accept this news, fearing potential layoffs, reduced benefits, or decreased resources that make their jobs more challenging.

However, employees’ ears may perk up when they realize that a portion of the savings will be used to support their wants: career growth, work-life balance, financial well-being, and job satisfaction with offers of performance-based incentives and flexible work arrangements.