strategically inclusive leadership #3: the table I long for....

[core topic]

This is part of an ongoing series 
on strategically inclusive leadership. 
Read the introduction here.

You may be familiar with some sayings about "if they don't give you a seat at the table… then _______”. For example: “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, bring your own chair.” or “If they don’t give you a seat at the table, build your own table."

In the context of such sayings, “table” is usually the conference table, the executive decision-making table. 

I'd like to share a quote with you from Jeff Chu. Jeff is Chinese American, a journalist and author of Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America. Here’s what he said:

"The Table I long for...

is one where all are not just welcome

but desperately & fiercely wanted."

Isn’t that amazing? Wouldn’t that be the table to beat all tables?

reflect

Before we look at this in the context of strategically inclusive leadership, let's take a moment to reflect by ourselves. We won’t be asking anyone to share, or to draw pictures of what you thought about, or any of that. Let’s just close our eyes, slow down our breathing, and reflect: are there or have there been times and places where I am desperately and fiercely wanted? 

(Pause again to let people reflect)

That’s the personal backdrop… 

While Jeff  said this in the context of the communion table in his faith tradition, you as the leadership of a community organization or ERG could explore what this might look like by thinking of "the table" as your organization or ERG. 

getting practical with your team

With all this in mind, regardless of the demographic that you are part of, here are some questions you can explore using a whiteboard or a digital tool Miro:

Q1-3

Start by exploring these related questions:

1. How would you know that a place / organization / etc. is one where “all are desperately and fiercely wanted?”
2. What does a place where “all are desperately and fiercely wanted” look like?
3. What are the characteristics of a place where “all are desperately and fiercely wanted”? 

Q4-6

Then move on to exploring what would need to happen to make your ERG or organization such a place.

Put up this statement:

"The Employee Resource Group we long to be is one where all are not just welcome but desperately & fiercely wanted."

(As applicable, replace "Employee Resource Group" with community organization, or faith community, or cultural association…)

Explore these questions related to the statement:

What would need to be put in place? (added)

What would need to be gotten rid of (removed)

What would need to be transformed? (changed)

"The Employee Resource Group we long to be is one where all are not just welcome but desperately & fiercely wanted."
What would need to be put in place? ADD	What would need to be gotten rid of? REMOVE	What would need to be transformed? CHANGE

conclusion

The ideas that your group has shared in the chart can then be used to inform strategic planning for your group... as you strive to become a place where all are desperately & fiercely wanted!

rob goetze