The accusation audit

Pre-empt their worst objections by saying them out loud before they can.

Why it works

Unspoken negative judgments fester and color everything you say next. Naming the harshest thing they might think — before they raise it — defuses it: it can’t be used against you, it signals self-awareness, and it makes the actual reality sound milder than the fear.

How to do it

1. List every accusation or objection they could plausibly hold against you.
2. Open by voicing the worst ones plainly: "You probably think I’m only here because…".
3. Then let the gap between the named fear and reality work in your favor.

Evidence

A practitioner tactic (popularized in hostage-negotiation practice) consistent with research on pre-emptive self-disclosure and stealing-thunder effects, where raising your own weaknesses first reduces their impact. (mechanistic)

The "accusation audit" name is practitioner framing; the supporting evidence is the general "stealing thunder" / pre-emption literature, not a study of this exact move.

Common mistake

Softening the audit into a half-admission, which leaves the real objection alive and makes you sound evasive.