Owning Your Voice When It Feels Easiest to Stay Small

1. Stop Editing Yourself Before You Speak

How many times have you sat in a meeting, idea on the tip of your tongue, and decided to hold back? Maybe it didn’t feel “perfect.” Maybe you worried it would come off too bold, too confident, too much. That quiet self-editing may feel safe in the moment—but it costs you power over time. Shrinking to fit a space that doesn’t yet see you is one of the fastest ways to disappear from conversations where you should be a central voice.

2. The Space Wasn’t Designed for You—But That Doesn’t Mean You Don’t Belong

Many rooms—especially corporate or high-stakes ones—carry unspoken norms: who talks, who leads, who gets heard. If you don’t match those norms, you might feel like you’re taking up “too much” space just by being there. But real leadership doesn’t mean blending in. It means redefining what the space can hold. Whether you're the only woman, the youngest person, or someone with a different lived experience—owning your presence starts with the belief that your voice adds value.

3. Presence Is a Skill, Not a Trait

You don’t need to be the loudest, the most charismatic, or the one with the fanciest title. You need to be clear, grounded, and self-aware. Presence is about showing up with your full self—knowing what you stand for, and being willing to stand in it even when the room gets quiet. If you’ve ever worried that you’re “not a natural,” let this be a reminder: presence is practiced. Confidence is rehearsed. Command is cultivated.

4. You Teach Others How to Listen to You

When you downplay your expertise, trail off when making a point, or preface your ideas with “this might be silly, but…”—others subconsciously take that cue. On the flip side, when you speak with conviction, even if your voice shakes a little, you shift how others receive your words. The first person who has to believe your voice matters is you.

5. Reclaim Space with Intention

Shaping the room doesn’t require a power pose or a perfectly rehearsed line. Sometimes it looks like:

• Asking the question no one else will.
• Backing up another voice being ignored.
• Sharing credit generously—and taking it when it’s yours.
• Saying “I disagree” with grace, not apology.



These small choices accumulate. Over time, they change not just how you’re seen, but what the room itself expects—and accepts.