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There are many moments in emergency medicine where it is easy to make yourself smaller.
It can happen in a crowded trauma bay, where multiple voices compete for attention and decisions need to be made quickly. It can happen on a consult call, where you are trying to advocate for a patient while navigating interruptions or differing opinions. It can happen in meetings, where you have something meaningful to contribute but hesitate, unsure of when or how to enter the conversation.
In these moments, the instinct to step back can be strong.
Many of us, particularly women in medicine, have been socialized to read the room carefully, to adjust our tone, to avoid being perceived as too assertive or too direct. We learn to make space for others, to soften our language, and to prioritize harmony. These are valuable interpersonal skills, and they can enhance collaboration and communication.
But over time, they can also lead to a pattern of self-limiting behavior.
There is a difference between being thoughtful and making yourself smaller.
You are allowed to take up space.
In clinical settings, this may mean speaking clearly and directly when a decision needs to be made. It may mean leading a resuscitation, stating a plan with confidence, or advocating for a patient even when there is disagreement. It may feel uncomfortable at first, especially if it contrasts with how you have been conditioned to communicate, but it is an essential part of clinical leadership.
On consult calls, taking up space may involve clearly articulating your concern and maintaining that position, even if it is met with resistance. It means recognizing that your clinical judgment has value and that your perspective is an important part of the decision-making process.
In meetings and academic settings, it may mean contributing your ideas, asking questions, and engaging in discussion, even when it feels easier to remain silent. Your voice adds to the conversation, and withholding it does not serve you or the group.
Taking up space does not mean dominating the room or being the loudest voice. It means allowing yourself to be present, to be heard, and to contribute meaningfully. It is about recognizing that your training, experience, and perspective are sufficient to justify your participation.
Over time, this becomes easier. The hesitation decreases, and the act of speaking up feels more natural. What once required deliberate effort becomes part of how you show up in clinical and professional environments.
Importantly, taking up space also has an impact beyond the individual. When one person models confident, authentic participation, it creates space for others to do the same. Visibility matters, particularly for those who may not see themselves reflected in leadership roles.
Representation is not only about being present; it is about being seen and heard. It signals to others that there is room for them to fully participate, without needing to diminish themselves.
You do not need to wait until you feel completely confident to take up space. You have already earned your place.