When giving a presentation, your most important responsibility is to establish trust with your audience. How can you do this? Focus on four key areas.

• Competency. Demonstrate expert knowledge of your topic by sharing current trends in your industry and by using specific anecdotes.
• Clarity. Clear communication lets expertise shine through. Identify the goal of your presentation in advance and use a clear structure with logical transitions to achieve that goal. Then, read your presentation out loud and refine as needed.
• Compassion. Speak directly to your audience’s needs, highlight what’s relevant to them, and make them feel heard and understood.
• Connection. Weave personal examples into your presentation — particularly examples that demonstrate vulnerability and transparency — to connect emotionally with your audience.