make the audience your "hero"

Take the attention off yourself.

When communicating:

Not how am I doing, but how is your boss doing, or how is your team doing. 

Phrase your goals and desires to how it impact others -- it shows that I Thought This Through (for you)

How to take attention off yourself? 

Use the YOU language. Make the second person first

Instead of saying I, say You. 

"YOU know how the team gets stressed etc etc" 

When u use the You, you make a connection, and create common ground.