Claiming presence, building authority, and speaking with power — even when your voice shakes.
You walk into the room — maybe it’s a pitch meeting, a label conversation, a creative brief, or a live Q&A. You know your work. You care deeply about your craft. You’ve built something from scratch, poured your vision into it.
But when it’s time to speak — when the spotlight lands on you — a familiar script creeps in:
Don’t overdo it.
Make sure you sound like you know what you’re doing.
What if they think you’re too much? Or not enough?
If this sounds familiar, you’re not alone.
You’re also not broken.
You’ve simply learned to survive in rooms that weren’t designed for you to thrive in.
But now? It’s time to rewrite that script.
Because as a creative woman — an artist-founder, a producer, a leader — your presence is not optional. It’s powerful. And it’s needed.
The Myth of “Owning the Room” — And Why It’s Broken
Let’s start here: Owning the room has nothing to do with ego.
It’s not about being the loudest. Or the most polished. Or the one with the biggest CV.
It’s about resonance. Clarity. Trust.
It’s about walking in with your full creative self — not just your credentials.
It’s about speaking in a way that commands attention without begging for approval.
And yet, so many women have been trained to shrink themselves. Especially in male-dominated rooms, high-stakes moments, or industries where the unspoken rules reward confidence over competence.
The result? Brilliant women second-guess. Brilliant artists apologise for their boldness. Brilliant founders undercharge, understate, and underplay their own genius.
And we are done with that.
The Real Reason You Freeze (It’s Not Lack of Confidence)
Here’s the truth most people don’t say out loud:
You don’t hesitate because you’re unprepared.
You hesitate because you’ve been taught that your power might make others uncomfortable.
Many women learn — often from early life or first industry experiences — that being too direct is risky. That being too passionate is unprofessional. That being visible can invite criticism, or worse, erasure.
So what do we do?
We dim.
We defer.
We say “just an idea” instead of saying what we know.
But your creative vision is not a favour. It’s a contribution.
You don’t need to prove your right to speak. You need to remember it.
How to Own the Room (Without Pretending to Be Someone Else)
Owning the room isn’t a performance — it’s a decision.
And like most powerful decisions, it begins internally, long before you ever step up to the mic or walk into the pitch.
Here’s how to start building real, embodied presence as an artist-founder:
- Know What You’re Really There For
Before any room — meeting, gig, interview, collaboration — ask yourself:
What am I here to do? Not to impress. Not to win. But to contribute. To align. To lead. To spark.
When you lead from mission instead of approval, your nervous system shifts. You’re no longer trying to survive the moment — you’re shaping it.
- Build an Anchor Phrase
This is your internal cue — a phrase you return to when the nerves rise or doubt creeps in.
Something like:
“My voice is valuable.”
“I belong in this room.”
“I lead with truth, not perfection.”
It might sound simple, but having this cue can regulate your body and sharpen your focus when it matters most.
- Watch Your Body Language — But Make It Yours
We’ve all seen the TED Talk posture tips. But presence isn’t about mimicking power. It’s about embodying it.
That means:
Shoulders back, but relaxed
Eyes up and engaged
Feet grounded
Voice steady — even if it starts soft
You don’t need to be loud. You need to be clear. Clarity cuts through.
- Practice Speaking Without Apologising
This is a game-changer. Catch yourself when you:
Start with “I might be wrong but…”
End with “Does that make sense?”
Soften truth with “just,” “kind of,” “a little”
These are habits, not flaws. And they can be unlearned — with practice and compassion.
- Take Up Space — Creatively and Literally
Your ideas, your art, your business, your voice — they deserve space.
Stop squeezing yourself into the smallest possible version to make others comfortable.
If you’re in the room, you’re meant to contribute.
If you’re asked to speak, speak with your whole voice.
If you’re leading, lead fully. No more apologetic ambition.
For the Woman Who’s Been Told She’s “Too Much”
Let me say this clearly: You are not too much.
You are exactly as bold, nuanced, and visionary as you need to be.
You don’t need permission to lead.
You don’t need validation to take up space.
You don’t need to make yourself smaller to be safe.
Because the truth is: you don’t just own the room by chance — you own the room when you walk in as your whole self.
Yes, even when you’re nervous.
Yes, even when you’re doubting.
Yes, even when you feel like everyone else has it all together.
The most magnetic women in any space aren’t the ones trying to fit in.
They’re the ones willing to stand fully in their voice.
Final Note: You’re Not a Guest in the Industry — You’re a Builder of It
As a creative woman, you’re not here to replicate someone else’s path.
You’re here to shape it.
To set the tone. To expand the vision. To build the room — and then hold it with clarity, compassion, and command.
So the next time you find yourself doubting whether you should speak, pitch, ask, perform, or take up more space —
Remember this:
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