Take Up Space :: Power Plays for Women in Law

By Rachel Barbaro At SGI, we work with many women lawyers navigating complex career landscapes—where confidence, visibility, and voice are as essential as legal skill. A recurring theme we see is the tension between wanting to lead and the fear of being “too much.” Too assertive. Too ambitious. Too direct.

It’s time to retire that narrative.

Taking up space—whether by stepping into speaking opportunities, initiating candid conversations with colleagues, or making bold, systems-level decisions—isn’t about ego. It’s about impact. And impact starts when we show up fully.

1. Seek the Spotlight—Strategically

If you're not being seen, you're not being heard. Speaking opportunities—whether panels, client-facing events, or management committee meetings—position you as a thought leader and a connector. Don’t wait for an invitation. Ask for the mic. Say yes to the podium. These moments shape your personal brand and elevate your practice in ways quiet competency cannot.

2. Have the Conversations Others Avoid

Direct dialogue isn’t conflict—it’s clarity. Whether you're aligning expectations with a team member or challenging assumptions at the partnership table, courage and candour pave the way for progress. The goal isn’t to be blunt; it’s to be honest, strategic, and values-aligned for the entire team. 

3. Think Like a System, Not a Silo

Women often carry the invisible burden of keeping the peace. But leadership isn’t about keeping things smooth—it’s about making things better. That starts with system-level thinking. Instead of asking, “Will this decision make me seem difficult?” ask, “What will this decision unlock for our firm, our people, our future?”

At SGI, we call this living the Know :: Be :: Do :: Method:

• Know who you are and the value you bring.

• Be the leader your vision needs, even when it feels uncomfortable.

• Do what’s required—speak, share, shift systems—because real leadership creates ripples that elevate everyone.

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If you're ready to step into more powerful conversations and claim space where it matters most, we’re here. Through our Women Managing Partner Forum, 1:1 Coaching, and Know :: Be :: Do :: programs, we help women lawyers not just find their voice—but use it to shape the future of law.