How strong is your voice? How convincing is your argument?

When your words aren't scripted for you --- when your notes have blown away --- when you're in the spotlight and all eyes are on you --- when the pressure is on and it's do or die ---

...can you deliver?

Can you lead, inspire, direct, convince, persuade, motivate, and rally the troops to get behind you -- take up their swords -- and fight for your cause?

The litmus test of leadership is believability.

For others to follow you into battle -- or into business, they must be firmly convinced that you are firmly convinced that you are doing the right things for the right reasons.

They must believe that the difficult or uncomfortable action that you want them to take is going to pay off down the road.

Above all, they must know that you believe in this mission and that you have a plan that is so well conceived and constructed and thoroughly thought-through that you know it by heart; you don't need to refer to your notes...or your iPad...or go ask the wizard who's behind the curtain.

It all boils down to this:

If you don't know the plan and believe in the plan, you'll never convince others to go 'all in' for the plan.

Likewise, if you don't know your brand and believe in your brand, you'll never convince others to go 'all in' for your brand.

You can't convince others to get behind anything you aren't fully invested in anymore than you can return from a place you've never been.

Put down your notes. Come out from behind your teleprompter.

Let us feel the believability in your eyes.

We're only as committed as you are.