About this quote

Every word you choose in public reveals how you handle responsibility. People judge your ability to guide them by the clarity of your voice. Do you mumble through updates, or do you stand behind your words? Your colleagues are constantly deciding whether to trust your direction based on these brief interactions. Pay attention to your next team meeting and watch how people react when you open your mouth.

When to use it

• Before a high-stakes project pitch, a manager tells a nervous colleague: 'Speak slowly and clearly in there. The client wants to see if you can run this project, not just do the data entry.'
• A basketball coach instructs the team captain during a timeout: 'Stop complaining to the referee. Speak with authority so they know you are in control of this floor.'
• A student advises their partner before a group presentation: 'We need to practice our delivery. When we present to the panel, we have to prove we actually believe in our own research.'