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In the fast-moving world of business, it’s easy for leaders to become consumed by strategy, metrics, and meetings. But leadership isn’t just about direction, it’s about presence. It’s about choosing to sit at the table, metaphorically and literally, with your workforce. It’s about showing up with intention, listening with empathy, and leading with heart.
“Sitting at the table” means being part of the culture you’re shaping—not observing it from a distance. It’s a call to business leaders and managers to care deeply about their people and take an active interest in the emotional and cultural health of their organizations.
Here are five reasons why it’s time to sit at the table and lead the human way.
Connection Builds Culture: Culture isn’t created in boardrooms—it’s built in everyday interactions. When leaders take time to connect with employees, they gain insight into the real experiences, challenges, and aspirations of their teams. Sitting at the table means being present in conversations, walking the floor, joining team huddles, and asking questions that go beyond performance. It’s about showing genuine interest in people’s lives and work. Connection fosters belonging. And belonging is the foundation of a strong, resilient culture.
Listening Sparks Trust: Employees want to be heard. They want to know their ideas matter, their concerns are valid, and their voices contribute to the direction of the organization. When leaders sit at the table and listen—without judgment or agenda—they build trust. Trust isn’t built through policies; it’s built through presence. Listening is one of the most powerful acts of leadership. It signals respect, empathy, and a willingness to grow together.
Set the Example for Success: Leadership is a mirror. The behaviors, attitudes, and values leaders model are reflected throughout the organization. Sitting at the table allows leaders to set the tone for collaboration, accountability, and positivity. When leaders show up with humility, curiosity, and consistency, they create a ripple effect. Employees begin to mirror those same qualities, and the culture becomes one of shared ownership and mutual respect. Success isn’t just about outcomes; it is about the example leaders set in how they achieve them.
Remove Ego, Unleash Talent: One of the most powerful things a leader can do is leave their ego at the door. Ego creates distance, hierarchy, and fear. But when leaders sit at the table with openness and humility, they create space for others to shine.
Removing ego means inviting ideas, sharing credit, and embracing vulnerability. It means recognizing that leadership is not about being the smartest person in the room—it’s about helping others bring their best forward.
Lead with Positivity and Heart: Positivity is a leadership strategy. It energizes teams, fosters resilience, and builds cultures of encouragement and hope. When leaders lead with heart—through kindness, optimism, and emotional intelligence—they create workplaces where people feel safe, valued, and inspired. Sitting at the table with positivity means choosing to uplift, even in difficult moments. It means creating a “successful together” mindset, where collaboration and care drive performance.
Humanity Is the Strategy
To sit at the table is to lead with humanity. It’s to choose connection over distance, listening over assumption, and humility over ego. It’s a declaration that people matter—and that leadership is about showing up, not just speaking up.
When leaders sit at the table, they don’t just guide — they grow.
They don’t just manage — they inspire.
So ask yourself:
Are you sitting at the table?
Ed DeAngelis is a visionary leader with over 25 years of experience in the construction industry, known for revolutionizing workplace culture and championing employee-centric practices. For more insights from Ed DeAngelis, visit HumanityAsAStrategy.com