A BIGGER TABLE
A BIGGER TABLE
Small groups. Big impact. One table at a time.
I’ve always believed that some of the best conversations happen away from the desk. There’s something about sharing a meal that softens the walls we build at work. Titles matter less. Curiosity shows up more easily. And for a moment, everyone is just a person with a story and a perspective worth hearing.
“I’ve seen how powerful it can be when a senior leader sits down with no agenda other than to listen and engage.”
That’s the idea behind A Bigger Table. It is a program I created to bring together small groups of employees from different functions for dinner with a senior leader. There are no slides and no formal speeches. The focus stays on real conversation about the business, what is working, what is not, and what it feels like to be part of the organization right now. Each dinner includes no more than ten people. The size keeps things personal and still allows a range of perspectives. Being outside the office gives people room to speak honestly without the weight of a meeting invite.
These dinners shift how people see one another. A junior team member learns that a quiet idea has already influenced work on another team. A senior leader hears how a decision landed on the ground floor. New ideas surface over bread and shared laughter. It’s not magic. It’s design. It’s simple. And it works. The goal is to create opportunities for people to listen across levels, share their experiences without performance, and remember that good ideas come from every corner of an organization.
Culture is built through connection, and connection is built in moments that feel genuine. One conversation at a time and one shared meal at a time creates a bigger table. When a senior leader sits down with no agenda except to listen and engage, it sends a clear signal that voices matter and that culture grows through consistent, human moments. It’s about the moments we choose to show up, listen deeply, and create space for people to feel seen.
A Bigger Table is more than just a dinner; it’s a practice of belonging and trust. It reminds people that no matter their role or background, they have a place in the conversation and something of value to offer.
And yes, good food always helps too!
