THE EDGE BRIEFINGS
The RAMBLING
REFLEX
Learn the six-word habit that stops capable leaders from talking themselves out of credibility the moment they are challenged.
By Cormac Walsh, professor of Business Communcation at the UPF School of Management Barcelona
Answer with authority, not anxiety
Protect your credibility not just your argument
Apply it in your very next conversation
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The Problem This Briefing Solves
Pressure doesn't change what you know. It changes what the room gets to see.
You've invested years developing technical expertise.
You've delivered results.
You've worked hard.
Yet you've probably seen people with similar, or even less, experience move ahead faster.
Why?
Most organisations reward two different sets of skills.
One is visible.
The other is almost never discussed.
What Is Inside
Over-explaining isn't a confidence problem—it's the Rambling Reflex, an automatic reach for more words the moment you are challenged.
The knowledge was never the problem. The order in which it arrives is.
The PAE sequence: Pause, Answer First, Explain Second (only if asked).
Three real coaching scenarios—each broken into situation, method, example and practice drill
Deliver a direct one-line answer first—every time—before any context or justification.
Run the sixty-second drill on this week's hardest conversation so you have the habit before you need it.
This Briefing is For You If You Face...
A board or investor challenge—an investor or backer questions your judgement in front of everyone
A high-stakes client call—a hard question lands and you can't read a face to see their reactions
A public Q&A—a hostile question in front of a room where you try to over-justify a decision
An unprepared moment—you know your material cold and yet still the wrong words come out first
A post-meeting regret—you keep leaving conversations thinking, "I know what I wanted to say, so why didn't I say it?"
About the Author
ONE CONVICTION
What got you here won't get you there.
The next level requires a different set of skills.
Cormac Walsh
EXECUTIVE COMPOSURE EXPERT
Cormac Walsh works with senior leaders, executive teams, and high-potential professionals, helping them communicate clearly, make sound decisions, and maintain credibility when the pressure rises.
His work includes executive and MBA programmes at IESE Business School and UPF Barcelona School of Management, where he teaches communication in demanding professional environments.
Across two decades in communication, education and leadership Cormac has seen the same pattern repeatedly; expertise matters, but what others can see and hear from you under pressure always determines whether that expertise carries weight.
Frequently Asked Questions
What format is The Rambling Reflex?
A professionally designed digital PDF, delivered directly to you after purchase.
How long will it take to read?
Under 30 minutes. It is designed to be understood quickly and applied immediately.
Who is it for?
Leaders, executives, and ambitious professionals who want to communicate with greater clarity and credibility when challenged or under pressure.
How will I receive it?
Immediately after purchase, you'll receive an email with a direct link to your briefing.
What if it isn't useful for me?
You are covered by our 14-Day Guarantee. Let us know within 14 days and we'll refund your purchase.
ABOUT THE EDGE
The Invisible Side of Leadership
At THE EDGE we focus on the skills that aren't taught in business schools but determine who gets trusted, who gets heard and who gets promoted.
We help leaders master the Invisible Side of Leadership.
Executive Composure | High-stakes Conversations | Influence & Impact
Through practical frameworks, realistic simulations and hands-on resources, we turn awareness into behaviour and insight into impact.
Ready to Get Clarity and Take Action?
One briefing. One habit. A room that trusts you the very next time it matters.
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Read the Briefing. If you don't find it useful, simply let us know within 14 days and we'll refund your purchase.
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