In this episode, I dive deep into the concept of "taking up space" as women, leaders, and human beings in progress. Using the vibrant, expansive energy of summer as a metaphor, Ruth explores how we often feel more permission to expand — and why so many women are conditioned to shrink themselves, both literally and figuratively.
[00:02:11] – Shrinking Ourselves & The Airplane Analogy
- Ruth shares her experience of physically shrinking herself while flying for work, compared to men who take up more space, and her small rebellion with a broadsheet newspaper.
[00:03:23] – Everyday Examples of Shrinking
- Discussion of how women often shrink in meetings, mute themselves on calls, or hesitate to speak up, and how these behaviors become ingrained.
[00:04:29] – What Taking Up Space Really Means
- Clarifying that taking up space isn’t about being loud, but about presence and inhabiting your full self without apology. Ruth links this to critical leadership skills and the loss organizations face when women don’t take up space.
[00:05:39] – The Cost of Not Taking Up Space
- She explains the personal cost: disconnection, loss of self-trust, and erosion of self-confidence. Ruth challenges the idea that visibility is just performance, suggesting instead it’s about authenticity.
[00:06:48] – Practical Ways to Take Up Space
- Examples of how to practice taking up space: being physically present, naming tension, holding silence, and sharing personal stories for connection.
[00:08:26] – Reflective Questions
- Ruth suggests reflecting on where and with whom you shrink, asking whose expectations you’re trying to meet.
[00:09:11] – The Ripple Effect
- Emphasizes how taking up space gives permission to others to do the same, especially in leadership roles.
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