ACTSHEON™: Take Up Space Like You Deserve To

You don’t need anyone’s permission to stop shrinking. 

But if you’re still waiting for it—here it is:

Stop. 

Stop hiding in plain sight. Stop second-guessing your value. Stop minimizing your presence so others can stay comfortable in theirs. 

You’re not “too much.” You’re not “intimidating.”

You’re powerful. Period. 

Taking up space is a leadership skill. One that can be learned. Practiced. Owned. And not just in how you speak, but in how you sit, show up, write, and lead. 

Because here’s the deal: if you don’t own your presence, someone else will define it for you. 

Shrink for What? 

You didn’t come this far to disappear into the walls. 

But somewhere along the line—whether from culture, workplace norms, or family expectations—you were taught to shrink. To lower your volume. To take the seat in the corner. To “read the room” instead of owning your seat in it. 

And you’ve mastered the art of invisibility, haven’t you? 

• Sitting along the back wall in meetings—even when you were invited to the front.
• Letting others interrupt you, then staying quiet to “keep the peace.”
• Writing emails that start with “Just checking in” or “Sorry to bother you...”
• Dressing down your tone, your goals, your presence. 

But here’s the truth no one tells you enough:

Leadership doesn’t reward invisibility. It responds to presence. 

And not the loudest or most dominant presence.
I’m talking about the undeniable presence of a woman who knows she belongs. 

When You Shrink, the Room Loses Something 

You think you’re keeping things easy, low-pressure, non-confrontational. But you’re not just staying small—you’re subtracting value. Because when you don’t show up fully, the room doesn’t just stay the same.

It loses the perspective, the power, and the insight only you could bring. 

Your absence doesn’t keep the peace.

It leaves a gap. 

And what fills that gap? Louder voices. Safer ideas. Missed opportunities.

You were never meant to blend in. That was just survival mode. 

Now it’s time to lead differently. 

Your Presence is Your Power 

Presence isn’t just being there—it’s being felt. 

It’s the calm command of someone who walks into a room and doesn’t flinch. It’s the clarity of a voice that doesn’t waver when challenged. It’s the energy of someone who knows her presence is a contribution, not a disruption. 

A 2023 Harvard Business Review study noted that women in leadership often find themselves tiptoeing between appearing competent and warm—so much so that they unintentionally downplay their authority. But navigating around others’ comfort isn’t your job. 

Your job is to lead. 

Let your presence reflect your capability, not your caution. 

Power Poses: Lead with Your Body First 

Your body leads the conversation before your mouth ever opens. 

Amy Cuddy’s now-famous TED Talk highlights how power poses not only shift how others see you, but also how you see yourself. 

Here are a few to try: 

• The Wonder Woman: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, hands on your hips, chin up. It communicates strength and steadiness. 

• The Lean-In: At a meeting table? Place your hands firmly on the table, lean in slightly. This shows you’re engaged and present—not checked out.
• The Open Stance: Sit or stand with uncrossed arms, relaxed shoulders, feet grounded. Crossing limbs can signal being closed off or unsure, even if you’re not. 

And here’s a Pro Tip:
Practice these poses in private, too. 

In the mirror. Before an interview. While you’re brushing your teeth. Posture shifts your thinking, not just your image. 

Your body remembers who you are—even when your mind forgets. 

Take the Seat. Yes, That Seat. 

Too many women instinctively retreat to the edges of a room. They’ll sit by the wall, take the last chair, or stay standing when there’s an open seat at the table. 

When you sit in the back or on the side, you blend into the background. Not because you lack value—but because you're signaling you don’t plan to contribute. 

That’s not humility. That’s hesitation.

And hesitation costs visibility. 

Let’s change that. 

If someone offers you a seat at the main table, take it. 

If no one offers, but there’s an open seat? Claim it. 

When you sit at the table, you’re saying with your actions, “I’m part of this conversation. My input belongs here.” 

Take Up Space in Your Writing, Too 

Minimizing doesn’t just happen out loud—it shows up in how we write and communicate. 

Ever start your emails with: 

• “Just checking in…”
• “Sorry to bother you…”
• “I think maybe…” 

Sis. Delete. It. 

Use language that reflects clarity and leadership:

• “Following up on…” instead of “Just checking in…”
• “I’d like to propose…” instead of “I was wondering if…”
• “I recommend…” instead of “Maybe we could…” 

Your emails, memos, captions—they all represent your presence. Let them reflect the clarity, confidence, and ownership you bring in person. 

Speak Like You Mean It 

You don’t have to dominate a room to influence it. But you do have to speak. 

Prepare your thoughts. Use your voice. Don’t apologize for existing.

If someone talks over you, say: 

• “I’m not finished yet.”
• “Let me complete that thought.” 

You don’t need to be confrontational. Just clear.

Leadership isn’t about noise—it’s about intentional presence. 

Dress the Part 

This isn’t about trendiness—it’s about energy.

Wear what makes you feel grounded and powerful. 

If you walk into a room tugging at your sleeves or unsure about your outfit, it chips away at your focus. But when you feel like you, you walk in with command. 

Dress for alignment, not attention. You’ll know the difference by the way you carry yourself. 

Your Call to ACTSHEON™ 

Taking up space isn’t arrogance. It’s alignment. 

It’s choosing to stand fully in your own story—without apology, without shrinking, and without permission. 

So here’s your move this week: 

• Take the front-row seat.
• Speak first in the meeting.
• Send the email without softening your tone.
• Practice your power pose before a tough conversation.
• Show up like you own the room—because you do. 

You don’t have to wait to be more ready, more experienced, or more liked. 

You just have to stop disappearing. 

Take up space like you deserve to—because you do.