Seat at the Table

During my career, I've been good at expanding the table. For me this is inviting the next layer of leadership to meetings were decisions are made. I would counsel those invited to take advantage of the invite. They were given ground - don't give it back - earn the seat and get invited to the next meeting.

I'd tell them that they do not earn the seat at the table once. They earn it every meeting. Being invited isn’t the finish line - it’s the starting point.

Earning your seat is: showing up prepared, not just present; understanding the decision that needs to be made; bringing insight, not narration; challenging assumptions respectfully, knowing when to speak and when to listen.

Titles might get you into the room but credibility keeps you there. The people who consistently earn their seat don’t try to dominate the conversation. They elevate it. They add clarity, reduce noise, and help the group move forward.

If you leave a meeting and no one’s thinking differently because you were there, that’s feedback - even if no one says it out loud.

Every meeting is another opportunity to earn the seat again.