By Rosemary Ravinal
Humans are wired for surprise. And the recent April Fools’ Day isn’t just a day of harmless pranks and clever takes. It taps into a global, time-honored love of surprise and the unexpected. Now imagine bringing that same energy thoughtfully and strategically into your public speaking, because here’s the truth: predictability is the fastest way to lose an audience. Surprise, on the other hand, is the spark that keeps people leaning in for more.
![A "surprise" gone flatulently wrong in a "SNL" skit during the 2025-2026 season. [Courtesy: NBC Television]](https://rbr.com/wp-content/uploads/surprise-e1775226690610.png "surprise")
