Oh I figured it out, all right. I figured out how to get confidence when you're in a place of authority and you absolutely do not belong there. Make people question themselves.
"Sir, there is a blue pen laying on your desk."
"A blue pen or a violet pen?"
"Well I suppose it is a bit violet but it seems more blue-"
"-Is it or isn't it blue? Get me the answer and then come back and see me."