Get a Seat at the Table

When we were growing up, my Mom used to always tell us, “You have to get a seat at the table.” This usually came after some type of social, or political event and she wanted us to learn that to be heard and make a difference, if that was what any of us wanted, we must be at the table. Here are some tips if you want to make contributions, be a part of a collaborative process and help inform decisions that may affect the lives of the very people you serve and/or other types of events that can affect the lives of people you care about, including yourself! “First, Get a seat at the table.” Below are 25 things to do to “Get a Seat at the Table.” Get a Seat at the Table

1. Think, “Get a Seat at the Table.”

2. Don’t let anyone paint you in a corner or peg you as something you’re

not.

3. Read “Pedagogy of the Oppressed.”

4. Stay away from mutually accessed destruction.

5. Stay away from “us” vs “them” mentality.

6. Develop a mindset of “we.”

7. Do not be afraid to disagree.

8. Say what you mean and don’t say it mean.

9. Mind your manners.

10. Do your job.

11. Remain open to learning.

12. Adapt to change.

13. Remain in the present.

14. Remember, everyone is human.

15. Learn from people you admire AND those you don’t.

16. Don’t just learn it, apply it.

17. Before pointing the finger, point it towards yourself and ask “What

could I have done differently?”

18. Believe, what won’t kill you will make you stronger.

19. Watch your body language.

20. Smile more.

21. Remember there’s strength in admitting mistakes.

22. Do not judge.

23. Respect your elders and everybody else.

24. Remember you are as strong as your “weakest” link.”

25. Become the change you seek.