By Mamie-Jean Lamley
WHY ARE YOU STILL SHRINKING?
You weren’t born to whisper. Your presence shifts rooms. And somewhere along the way, you were told to be less bold, less loud, less confident. So you started shrinking to fit spaces you’ve already outgrown.
THE WEIGHT ISN’T YOURS TO CARRY ANYMORE
You’ve carried the pressure to shrink, to fit into spaces that no longer serve you, and that weight was never yours.
It’s time to unlearn the limits and rise. Owning your power doesn’t mean losing yourself – it means becoming more of who you are, with grace and zero apology.
YOU’RE NOT TOO MUCH – YOU’RE JUST TRAINED TO BE LESS
The world is convincing you otherwise. It’s in your conditioning. To sit still, smile politely, and wait your turn.
To raise your hand and not your voice.
To be brilliant and not intimidating.
To lead and not ruffle feathers.
And let’s be honest, stepping into your power isn’t always easy. Real struggles can hold you back, even when you know you’re meant for more.
STOP PLAYING SMALL – START LEADING
The moment you start taking up space, the world gets uncomfortable -and you start shrinking. No Way! Change your thinking. Don’t blend in. Breakthrough, stop playing small, and start leading like the woman you already are.
THE REAL STRUGGLES YOU DON’T SAY OUT LOUD
Let’s name them. Because power starts with truth:
- You doubt your brilliance – even with proof of success.
- You second-guess your voice in rooms where you should be leading.
- Fear of being seen as “too much” – too bold, too confident.
- You downplay your ideas to keep others comfortable.
- You wait for permission no one’s going to give.
THESE PATTERNS ARE REAL, AND THEY ARE NOT PERMANENT
Here are four power tips to rise above them and step fully into your leadership.
- Command the Room: Presence Is Power. Keep in mind, to shift energy, you don’t need words. It’s about presence with precision that can make a difference.
- Stand as you belong, shoulders straight back, and chin up.
- Introduce yourself with clarity and conviction -no apologies.
- Speak with certainty, not hesitation.
Presence is about how you stand and how you make others feel. When you walk into a room with clarity and conviction, you shift the energy and set the tone for leadership.
Do This: Record yourself delivering a 60-second intro. Watch how you show up. Adjust. Repeat until you exude confidence.
- Speak Up: Your Voice Is a Strategy. You are not waiting for the perfect moment. You are the moment. Here are three power phrases to own your voice:
- Here’s what I recommend
- What I see is
- Based on experience
Drop the disclaimers like “just,” “maybe,” or “I could be wrong.”
And if someone interrupts, reclaim your space: “I’m not done; let me complete my thought.”
Do This: Speak up early in meetings with a simple insight. It sets the tone.
- Decide Boldly: Perfection Is a Lie. Leadership isn’t flawless choices-it’s about clear ones. Stop overthinking. Stop apologizing. Lead like this:
- Make the decision. Clarity wins.
- Own the result. Refine if needed.
- Trust your instincts—they’ve gotten you this far.
Do This: Track your decisions over the past 30 days. Look at the wins. Trust yourself more.
- Lead with Grace, Not Grit Alone. Grace isn’t a weakness. It’s wisdom in motion. You don’t have to lead like anyone else. You don’t have to armor up to be serious. You can be:
- Bold and kind.
- Direct and deeply human.
- Unshakable and full of heart.
Grace is the quiet strength that turns obstacles into opportunities. It’s the wisdom to lead with empathy while holding firm to your boundaries.
Do This: Pair empathy with boundaries. That’s grace with a backbone and you can impact change.
BE AUTHENTIC, BE POWERFUL, BE RESILIENT, & RISE ANYWAY
The room won’t always welcome you. Lead anyway.
Your voice might shake. Speak anyway.
You might feel like you’re not ready. You are.
You don’t need permission to rise. You need conviction.
When you rise, you don’t just change the room – you inspire others to rise, claim their space, and lead with purpose. The world needs your voice, your vision, and your unapologetic power. So rise – and keep growing. Your legacy starts now.
