From the moment we exit our scholastic experience, we are sent off into the real world with nothing more than an overpriced diploma and probably some internships under our belts. Finding an entry level job these days is so challenging, that many of us take the first offer we're presented out of sheer desperation. Now that you’ve successfully, and dreadfully, obtained your first job out of school, you begin to recognize that maximizing your professional influence is not just about securing the bag — it’s about having a seat at the table.
The fact may be that some of us continue to show up daily to a job that isn’t illustrative of our true passions. We are holding onto superficial, bill-financing jobs, furtively hoping that someday we’ll stumble across our destined path. I’m not knocking it, you have to do what must be done to feed your family, but the irony is that working to merely satisfy basic necessities always leads to the dissatisfaction of self.
What happens when you arrive at a crossroads after paying your dues, and you're ready for an elevated sense of fulfillment? You figure out what the rest of your career trajectory would look like by deciding what kind of professional you want to be.
You may desire to be your own “boss.” As a boss, you get to order others around and that can be (weirdly) fulfilling to some. However, a seat at the table extends beyond the occupation of a boss. It’s about intently amplifying your influence and exuding true value at a company or in a professional partnership. When you claim a seat at the table, you’re part of a collective that gets to call the shots at a business. From this vantage point, you can create power moves because you’re able to weigh in on lasting decisions concerning the direction of a business.
Having a seat at the table equates to being a leader in your own right, so it’s remarkably essential to understand that you carry the responsibility to assist the growth of others within a business. Paying it forward and bringing forth the concerns of others in some capacity is what leverages your place, and makes you an exceptional stakeholder. Make your place at the table count by bringing other MVPs along with you.
The road to having a seat at the table may be wearisome and tricky, as some of us are currently being overworked and underpaid, but eventually, if you strategically showcase your inevitable value and influence at your place of work, you can position yourself to flourish in your desired field. Don’t lose sight of the mission at hand, which is inherently to leave a lasting impression wherever you go. There’s a reason why everyone doesn't get the chance to eat at the same table, and it’s partially because there is a disconnect between their vision, and the work required to bring that goal into fruition.
When you finally get your seat at the table, own that power, but also keep in mind that it’s really not about you; it’s about utilizing your position to bridging the gap between the top and the bottom.
