Taking the Stage: How Women Can Speak Up, Stand Out, and Succeed

Chapter Twenty-ThreeSit Tall, Stand Tall

Mei is a tiny woman dressed all in black who sits stock-still when she speaks. Her voice has authority, but physically she seems to disappear. She has been passed over for several promotions, and it's easy to see one reason why: her stance suggests she wants to hide in plain sight. But that's about to change. Our instructor inquires whether she ever played sports. “Well, I was a classically trained ballet dancer for fourteen years,” Mei says. Our instructor asks for a short demonstration. Mei removes her black jacket and then stands and performs a perfect ballet move—she takes up the space in an elegant regal way and looks at those in the room with warmth. All are taken by her presence and can't take ...