At some point in your career, someone will say, “You need to earn a seat at the table.” It’s one of those phrases that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean?
Spoiler alert: It’s not about being the first to answer emails, check boxes or say “yes“ to every task.
Having a seat at the table means you are part of the bigger conversation — the one that provides direction and drives business goals. It means you’re not just reacting to strategy; you’re helping to create it.
So, how do you get there?
Start by asking the right questions: What’s the bigger goal? How does your work support what the business is trying to achieve? From there, look for clear ways to connect your day-to-day efforts to those broader business goals.
Leadership teams notice when you move from doing the work to owning the outcome. When you offer insights and push ideas forward, you’re seen as more than just a contributor — you’re seen as someone who adds strategic value.
The good news? You don’t need a big title to start thinking like a leader.
Here are five actionable ways to begin aligning your work with business strategy.
- Understand the big picture
Ask your manager to walk you through your department’s goals so you can better understand how they impact the company’s overall objectives. Read internal updates, listen during town halls and pay attention to what leaders prioritize. The more you understand where the business is going, the more intentionally you can align your work to help it get there.
- Connect your tasks to business outcomes
When you complete a project or goal, don’t just share what you did — explain why it matters. For example: “I completed this project” becomes “I completed this project, which helped support our goal to increase member engagement by 10%.” Framing your work in terms of impact shows that you understand and support the bigger picture.
- Be curious and proactive
Ask questions and offer ideas through the appropriate channels. If something isn’t working, don’t just point out the problem. Come with a thoughtful solution. Research shows that proactive individuals tend to contribute significantly to organizational success because they show that they’re invested in more than their to-do list — they’re invested in the business.
- Practice strategic communication
Learn how to talk about your work in a way that clearly shows its value. That means finding ways to share progress updates with context, not just deliverables. When you speak the language of the business, your impact and contributions are easier to recognize.
- Find opportunities to lead
Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about ownership. Look for small, low-risk projects you can take from start to finish. Volunteer for cross-functional initiatives and leverage those moments to show how you think, solve problems and support strategic goals.
Growing into a leader starts with becoming a strategic contributor and proving through small but consistent steps that you’re not just doing the job but also helping to drive the “why” behind it.
