Why You Must Demand the Spotlight to Earn It

Remember how Michelle Akers stood yards from her goalkeeper and bellowed, “Give me the effing ball”? That raw confidence lit up the field. She knew her worth and demanded the opportunity. It wasn’t arrogance—it was clarity about her power.

Think of Raj, an intern who quietly delivered flawless slide decks each morning. Day after day, he waited for someone to notice. One afternoon, the team scrambled because their presenter got sick. Raj raised his hand and said, “I’ve created these decks and know the material—I can step in.” His voice shook, but he spoke. The team looked stunned, then rallied behind him. He got the next client call.

Behavioral research on self-efficacy shows that when you explicitly request opportunities, you trigger two things: you prime yourself to perform at that level, and you signal to others that you believe you belong there. People respond to confident demands with greater support than you might expect.

Next time you feel ready, stand up and say, “Give me the project,” or “Let me speak next.” You’ll give yourself permission to shine and give your Pack permission to claim their own moments.

You begin by listing three strengths you’ve used successfully and remind yourself how they made a difference. Then you turn one into a clear ask—maybe leading the next meeting or pitching a new initiative—and rehearse that request aloud, keeping it concise and grounded in impact. Finally, you pick your moment, make the ask with confidence, and answer questions. Tonight, own your moment.