Super point. I remember, during one “media training” session I went through, the same point got made: “Never start a speech with an apology.” The chicken story makes the same point more vividly … and therefore, better. I remember finding this “rule” counterintuitive at first, but absolutely correct in practice.

It’s a subset of “always be positive” — or make your points positively, not negative. Use AND not BUT when you can in an argument.

Another point, during the same training session, was “don’t thank the audience for letting you speak to them. They should appreciate that you did.” That also seemed contrary to good manners to me, but, again, it’s absolutely correct. You don’t need to be arrogant, but thanking THEM undercuts their invitation of you as someone they want to hear from.

I’m always surprised by how most guests on talk shows (e.g., promoting a book or simply providing expert commentary on a subject) respond to hosts who end the interview with “thank you.” The guests invariably respond with “[no], thank YOU” instead of the more correct, and obvious “you’re welcome.” It seems to me that the latter response is correct on a number of levels.