A recent Rear Window item in the AFR noted Ross Du Vernet struggling to find words during a press conference (17 February). The stumble itself is understandable. The more instructive issue is how such moments are handled under pressure.

A brief mental blank can happen to anyone. Fatigue, cognitive overload, or an unexpected question are common triggers, specially in public, high-stakes settings. What matters isn’t the lapse; it’s the recovery.