Getting a Seat at the Table

You’re here, reading this because the title caught your attention: Getting a Seat at the Table.

We all know what that means. Whether we're talking about the literal boardroom table or the metaphorical spaces where decisions are made, having your voice heard and your presence felt is fundamental to creating meaningful impact in your career and organization.

The Power of One Voice

My first time sitting at a literal board room table was an experience I'll never forget. Picture this: a giant dark wood table, shiny—too shiny—surrounded by at least 20 large, worn black leather chairs that had clearly seen countless important conversations. I was an intern, one of 70 in what was the largest intern group the company had ever had, and we'd been brought in for a roundtable session about three weeks into our internship.

As we went around the table, each intern shared the great things they'd been working on, the projects they were excited about, the learning experiences they were having. When it was my turn, I did the same—I talked about the meaningful work I'd been doing, the mentorship I was receiving, the skills I was developing. But then I did something that, in hindsight, changed everything. I chirped up and said, "but I don't have a work laptop yet."

It seemed like such a small thing. Almost insignificant compared to all the big, important work everyone was discussing. But by 3pm that same day, I was handed a work laptop with the simple explanation: "no one shouldn't have a laptop to work on." That was it.

What I hadn't realized in that moment was that our head of technology was sitting in the room with us. He heard my words, my request, my need, and he immediately set forth an action. It seemed "small" to him most likely, but I think about that moment a lot, especially when I sit in board rooms today.

That experience taught me something profound: your voice matters, regardless of your title or position in the hierarchy. Sometimes the most junior person in the room has the clearest perspective on what's actually happening on the ground level.

The next time I found myself in that same boardroom was four years later, but this time the circumstances were entirely different. I had gotten into work early that morning—not unusual for me, since it's my best time to think—and I was working on a quarterly report to share with stakeholders. My direct boss rushed past me with a quick hello, clearly late for something, then quickly turned around, walked back to me, and asked if I would join him in a meeting.

We exchanged pleasantries as we quickly walked down the hallway, up to the 5th floor, and to my surprise, I walked right into that same boardroom. Seeing many familiar faces, I took a seat in one of those big chairs—now new ones—right in the middle of the table and joined what would become the first of many opportunities to sit at that table and continue to have a seat at all those types of tables after.

The difference between those two experiences wasn't just the passage of time or my growing expertise. It was the recognition that I had earned my place at that table through consistent contribution, strategic thinking, and the courage to speak up when it mattered.

Why Having a Seat at the Table Matters More Than Ever

The concept of "having a seat at the table" has taken on new dimensions and urgency in more recent years. It's no longer just about climbing the corporate ladder or achieving a certain title—it's about ensuring that diverse perspectives, innovative ideas, and authentic voices are represented in the spaces where critical decisions are made.

The traditional gatekeepers of leadership are being challenged, and rightfully so. We're seeing a fundamental shift in how organizations think about leadership, influence, and decision-making authority.

The pandemic accelerated many of these changes, forcing companies to recognize that valuable insights and leadership can come from anywhere in the organization, not just from the C-suite.

But here's what's particularly important to understand: you don't need a title to be a leader, and you don't need a formal invitation to contribute meaningfully to important conversations. Leadership is about influence, impact, and the ability to drive positive change—and these qualities can be demonstrated at any level of an organization.

The most effective leaders I know, regardless of their formal position, share certain characteristics.

They're proactive rather than reactive.
They see opportunities where others see obstacles.
They speak up with solutions, not just problems.
They build bridges between different perspectives.
They find ways to move conversations forward constructively.

Right now, organizations are grappling with rapid technological change, shifting workforce demographics and evolving customer expectations. The companies that thrive in this environment, will be those that tap into the collective intelligence of their entire workforce, not just their senior leadership team.

Photo by LinkedIn Sales Solutions on Unsplash

The Myth of Waiting Your Turn

One of the most damaging myths in professional development is the idea that you need to "wait your turn" or "pay your dues" before your voice matters. This outdated thinking not only stifles innovation and progress but also perpetuates systems that may not serve the organization's best interests.

The reality is that fresh perspectives, diverse experiences, and innovative thinking often come from those who haven't been jaded by the "the way things have