Coach: Walk me through what happened in that meeting yesterday.
You: So they asked me a question about Q4 numbers and I just — I felt the pressure and I started rattling off everything I knew way too fast.
Coach: Notice the language. "I started rattling." That's the old identity talking. What's the new one?
You: I'm someone who pauses before I speak.
Coach: Right. So let's role-play it again. Same question, but this time I want you to take three seconds before your first word.
You: [3 second pause] Q4 came in slightly under target — let me give you the two reasons that mattered most...