I’ve been watching Nashville again. I started because of Hayden’s death and that deserves its own post, but while watching, I discovered something else. Yhe power of asking everyone to leave the room.

It happens constantly on this show. Usually someone important or at least someone who has decided they are important, looks around and says, “Can everyone give us five minutes?” Or, “I need a minute.” And magically, everyone gets up and leaves. No questions. No awkward, “But I was in the middle of saying something.” Just poof! Privacy.

Sometimes the character needs to cry. Sometimes they need to collect themselves. Sometimes they need to have a deeply emotional heart-to-heart. Sometimes they need to deliver a brutal truth without an audience.

And honestly? I’m intrigued.

Should I start doing this? I can imagine a difficult meeting where everyone gets tense and I calmly say, “Everyone out. Give me five minutes.” Then I stare thoughtfully into the middle distance while everyone respectfully exits.

Is this leadership? Emotional regulation? Healthy boundaries?

Or is it just something television divas get away with?

Either way, I’m considering adding “clear the room” to my leadership toolkit.

Five minutes. No questions. Nashville has spoken.