What Does It Mean to "Own the Space?"

Have you ever been told you need to, "Own the space?"

What does that actually mean?

Let's first discuss what we mean by "space." We tend to think of space as what is contained within the four walls we're communicating in. But space is not contained by walls. You can enlarge or shrink the space, affecting how it feels to others.

How?

By bringing awareness to it.

Have you ever gone out to eat with someone and felt as though they weren't "there?" One of two things are possible in that scenario: they are either in their head, shrinking the space so small that you feel left out, or they have taken in the entire restaurant into their awareness making you feel lost in it.

How you think about space affects how it feels.

Most presenters, when standing in front of an audience, are in their heads, and it shows. When you're thinking about your content or nervous about what you're about to say, you appear small and constricted to others.

However, when you expand your sense of space, bringing in the entire room and its occupants, and maybe even the hallway outside or the entire building, you expand. You appear large and in charge to others.

But you not only have to increase your awareness of space, you have to move as though you belong there.

That means no side-stepping, no backing up, and no sashaying. (But do send video if you do this.) Just turn and walk normally. Use big gestures and pausing. This communicates to jurors, "I belong here. This is my space. Welcome."

And THAT is what it means to "own the space." Even if you are, however briefly, borrowing it from the judge. ;)

To learn more, give this podcast a listen.

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