It’s your dance floor: set yourself up to own the room

Picture the scene.

You’re in the boardroom. You’re following another speaker. You step forward to take your turn.

And suddenly… you’re stuck. Literally.

Wedged behind a lectern.
Crushed into a corner.
Half-hidden by an awkward flower arrangement.
Trying to make eye contact while dodging cables snaking across the floor.

You feel trapped. Slightly off. Not quite yourself.

And before you’ve even said a word, your presence has taken a hit.

Why your environment matters when you speak

A big part of presence and confidence when you speak is not just about what you say, or even how you say it. It is about whether the space around you is helping you or quietly working against you.

Where you stand, how you are positioned in the room, what is in your hands, what is in your way — all of these things shape how you feel in your body. And how you feel in your body has a direct impact on how you communicate.

When your environment feels awkward or restrictive, it is much harder to feel grounded. You might find yourself slightly off-balance, distracted, or holding tension without even realising it. Your movement becomes more limited, your breath can feel tighter, and your ability to connect with the room is reduced.

On the other hand, when you are physically comfortable and have space to move, something shifts. You can settle more easily. Your body works with you rather than against you. You are more available to your message and to the people you are speaking to.

This is why it matters.

And yet, so many people simply accept whatever setup they are given.

They stand where they are told to stand, even if it puts them at the edge of the room. They stay behind the lectern, even if it makes them feel boxed in. They work around whatever obstacles are in front of them, rather than considering whether those obstacles could be moved.

There is often an unspoken assumption that the room is fixed, and that they have to adapt to it.

But if you are the one speaking, you are allowed to think about what you need.

You are allowed to take a moment before you begin and ask yourself where you want to stand so you feel comfortable and in control.

You are allowed to move something if it is in the way. You are allowed to step out from behind the lectern if it helps you feel more open and connected. You are allowed to set yourself up in a way that supports both you and your audience.

These choices might seem small, but they make a noticeable difference. When you feel physically at ease, your communication becomes more natural. You are less preoccupied with managing discomfort and more able to focus on your message. You can see people, and they can see you. The interaction becomes easier, more direct, more human.

That, in many ways, is what owning the room looks like.

Not forcing it. Not performing it. But creating the conditions that allow you to show up well.

You cannot always control every aspect of the space, of course. Sometimes the room is what it is. But even then, there is usually more flexibility than you think. A small shift in position, a chair moved slightly, an obstacle cleared, a better line of sight — these small adjustments can have a disproportionate impact.

So before you speak, take a moment to look at the room.

Notice what is helping you and what is getting in your way.

And then, where you can, make it your own.

Because it’s your dance floor.

And you get to choose where you dance.