The Parenting Rule for Better Earnings Calls: Say What You Mean

Siggie Cohen, a child development specialist who has worked with over 5,000 families, says the most effective parenting rule is simple: say what you mean. In her book "You Are the Parent," Cohen argues that children need clear leadership, not rhetorical questions that create confusion. The same logic applies to earnings season, she suggests. When a CEO turns a non-negotiable into a question – "can we achieve our margin targets?" – the market senses hesitation. Clear guidance reduces uncertainty, a principle that Cohen's work supports. This earnings season, watch for management that says what it means versus management that invites confusion. That is the better read.