Walk in like you were expected
Every room you enter, you enter as the guest of honour. Here's how to act like it.
too much? good.There are two ways to walk into a room. You can slip in, find the edge, and wait to be noticed. Or you can walk in like the room has been waiting for you, because honestly, it has. Nothing interesting was happening until you got there.
The second way is a skill, not a personality. Anyone can learn it. Here’s the short course.
Before you walk in
Decide what you’re there for. A promotion, a conversation, a good night, one specific person. Walking in with a purpose changes your whole body.
Wear the thing that makes you stand taller. Not the safe thing. The red lip, the blazer with the shoulders, the heels you actually love. Clothes are the first sentence you say, so make it a good one.
At the door
Pause for one breath. Stand in the doorway for a second before you move. It feels long. It isn’t. It reads as I’m here, not sorry, excuse me.
Chin level, shoulders back, slow down. Rushing says you’re late for your own life. Walk like there’s no hurry, because the room isn’t going anywhere.
Once you’re in
Take a real seat. The front, the middle, the chair with a view. Not the corner.
Speak in the first ten minutes. A question, a joke, a “good point”. The longer you wait, the heavier your first sentence gets.
Drop the apology. You didn’t interrupt by arriving. You arrived. “Sorry I’m late” can be “Thanks for waiting.” “Sorry, quick question” can be “Question.”
Find the other woman who spoke up, and back her. Loud women travel better in pairs.
The point
You don’t need anyone’s permission to take up space in a room you were invited into. And for the rooms you weren’t invited into? Walk in like you were anyway.
Walk in like you were expected.
Photos via Unsplash
