If you’ve driven on Indian roads, you’ll have seen these words painted on the backs of trucks: ‘Horn Please’.

It’s a standing invitation to honk if you want to pass.

This morning, while walking my usual circuit around the apartment complex, I was deep in thought as I approached the exit gate. Suddenly, a blaring horn shattered the quiet. The driver could easily have waited five seconds for me to clear the way. The jolt felt unnecessary.

And I certainly didn’t have ‘Horn Please’ painted on my back.

It made me think about leaders who do the same thing in meetings. They honk with words: Interrupt mid-sentence, cut across presentations, or jump in before someone has finished.

Their message – intended or not – is clear: my ideas can’t wait, yours don’t matter as much, I can’t manage my own excitement or irritation long enough to let you finish.

That kind of honking has consequences. It discourages quieter voices, breaks the flow of ideas, and over time, teaches people to hold back. Psychological safety shrinks. Energy often shifts from being collaborative to defensive.

We’ve seen this in leaders like Steve Jobs – brilliant in many ways, but notorious for sharp interjections. While such behaviour can spark urgency, it can also create anxiety and a culture of second-guessing.

So what’s the leadership equivalent of not honking?

It’s exercising the brake pedal.

Fortunately, every human comes fully kitted out with one. You can brake by:

• Pausing for Six Seconds: Take a few breaths to determine if speaking now is essential – or allowing the speaker to complete creates greater long-term value.
• Writing It Down: Capture your thought. If it still matters after the speaker finishes, share it calmly.
• Engaging your Curiosity: Instead of barging in, ask “Can you expand on that?” This makes space instead of taking it.

Not everyone has ‘Horn Please’ on their back.

As a leader, the horn is a powerful tool.

When is it most powerful? Possibly when not being used. When you hold back, listen fully and show that every voice has value.

In your next meeting, look carefully – do any colleagues have ‘horn please’ written on them? If not, can you resist as well as deter others – from honking anyway?