When Everyone in the Room Is a Leader

Aka that moment your ego tries to make a comeback.

I had one of those moments in a meeting today.
One of those “oh, hello ego” moments.

I was sitting at a table full of strong personalities. Big voices. Big ideas. Big leaders. The kind of people who know how to lead a room, how to show up, and how to get their voices heard.

And as I listened, contributed, waited for space to speak, something hit me.

And I’m not sure that in the moment…I really liked it.

I wasn’t the anchor in the room.

And for someone who’s used to being the one people turn to?
That landed loudly.

To be clear, no one was rude.
No one shut me down or talked over me.
I had space. I was heard.

But still… something inside of me wanted more.

I wanted to be the one they were looking to.
Not in a showy way.
Not from insecurity.
But from familiarity.

Because I’m often that person.
I’m usually the one guiding the moment. The one with the strategy, the clarity, the vision, the next steps.

It’s a role I’ve held for years.
It’s a role I’ve been paid to hold.
And it’s a role I’m good at.

But that room?
It didn’t need one voice. It needed many.

And I had to check myself.

Was I uncomfortable because I wasn’t leading?
Or was I uncomfortable because I didn’t know how to share the lead?

Oof. That one stung.

There are certain lessons life hands you on repeat.
And if you’re not paying attention, you’ll walk the same circle again and again, defaulting back to old patterns, old habits, old ways of thinking.

And this was one of those moments.

The truth is, leadership doesn’t always look like being center stage.
Sometimes it looks like leaning back.
Making room for others.
Holding the space, instead of the mic.

Not because I don’t have value.
Not because my contribution isn’t needed.
But because I’m confident enough to know I don’t have to prove it.

This is the space I’m growing in right now.

Not in how I speak louder, but in how I listen more deeply.
Not in always being the anchor, but in learning to float among other anchors…and still trust my own weight.

That’s the kind of leader I want to be.

Not the only one in the room.

Just a damn good one to have in it.

Mea Brown is an author, editor, and book consultant who helps nonfiction writers shape meaningful work with clarity, strategy, and soul. She’s the founder of Shadow Scribe Media and Strategic House, and the author of Write That Book Already and Disrupt Your Default. Learn more at meabrown.com.