I am not a loud person. In fact, early in my career, I was told I was “too soft” to lead. That advice was wrong.

After coaching hundreds of women, I have learned that quiet leaders often have the deepest impact – but only if they have the right scripts. Here are three micro-scripts I use almost every week, and I teach them to every woman I mentor.

Script 1 – When someone interrupts you in a meeting:
“I wasn’t finished. Let me complete my thought, and then I would love your input.”
I used this just last week with a male board member. He apologized immediately.

Script 2 – When you need to give tough feedback:
“This is hard to say because I value our work together. Here is what I am noticing, and here is what I need to see change.”
Notice there is no apology for existing. Just clarity.

Script 3 – When you don’t have all the answers:
“I don’t have all the answers yet. But here is what I know right now, and here is when you will hear from me next.”
This one saved me during a crisis at The Girl Foundation two years ago.

Leadership is not about talking the most. It is about saying the right thing at the right time. Quiet leaders, I have learned, often do that best.