The moment I lost my words (and what I did next)

In partnership with

A big boardroom. Polished table. Sharp suits.

And me—the project manager—sitting nervously across from the CFO, CEO, and a few other execs whose names I barely knew.

I wasn’t even supposed to be there.

Normally, our VP would take our team’s slides into these kinds of meetings. We’d write the talking points, and she’d deliver them.

But this time, she handed the mic to me. "Come to the meeting. You should walk them through this. They need to hear it from you."

I was thrilled. I prepped. I reviewed milestones. I rehearsed my slides. I imagined how impressed they’d be.

And the meeting actually started well. I felt seen. Heard. Trusted.

Then the CFO asked a question.

I knew the answer. But it was... complex.

And the words just didn’t come out right.

Umm... well... it’s kind of like... what I meant to say was...

I stumbled. I rambled. I made it worse.

The moment passed.

They moved on. I was thanked. Excused.

And just like that—the spotlight shut off.

The Enterprise Guide to Secure Voice AI Rollouts

Deploying Voice AI in a regulated industry? This guide shows how security isn’t just a requirement—it’s your rollout strategy.

Learn how HIPAA and GDPR compliance can accelerate adoption, reduce risk, and scale across 100+ locations.

From encryption and audit logs to procurement readiness, this guide outlines what enterprise IT, ops, and CX teams need to launch AI voice agents with confidence.

Download The Free Guide

We’ve all had moments like that.

You prep. You plan. You even know your stuff.

But when the moment hits...

Your words don’t show up.

It doesn’t make you bad at your job. But it can cost you visibility. Influence. Opportunity.

And the worst part?

You walk away thinking: "If only I’d said it this way..."

If you’re a professional trying to lead, persuade, or just be heard...

Then having the right words at the right time isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s essential.

That’s why I created a resource to help with exactly that.

Not scripts. Not fluff.

Just real, useful language you can use in tricky situations:

• When you're challenged in a meeting

• When you're caught off guard by a question

• When you're trying to advocate for your work

Here are 3 quick tips to help you sound more confident on the spot:

1. Buy yourself time with a bridging phrase. Instead of freezing, use a phrase like, "That’s a great question—let me break it down for you." It gives your brain a moment to catch up while sounding calm and collected.

2. Lead with your conclusion. When an answer feels complex, start with your main point first. Then, if needed, explain the details. Executives appreciate clarity over detail.

3. Practice speaking, not just preparing. Don’t just write out what you want to say. Practice saying it aloud. Your brain processes spoken language differently than written words, and this builds your fluency under pressure.

Truth: confidence doesn’t always come from knowing more.

Sometimes, it just comes from knowing what to say.

If you've ever walked away from a meeting thinking, "I wish I'd said that better..."

Then this resource is for you.

Grab it here… and make sure next time, your words show up with you!

Now it’s your turn.

I’d love to hear from you.

What’s on your mind?

What challenges are you having?

What would you like more of from this newsletter?

Just hit reply. I read every email!

Keep up the momentum!

Cassie

P.S. Ready to break through? Join my FREE community Momentum Makers - where we turn career frustration into forward momentum.