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.

That’s the idea behind A Bigger Table. A program I created to bring together small groups of employees from across functions for dinner with a senior leader. No slides. No speeches. Just real conversation about the business, what’s working, what’s not, and what it feels like to be part of the organization right now. Each dinner includes no more than ten people. That’s intentional. Small enough to keep things personal, but big enough to hear a range of perspectives. The setting creates just enough distance from office walls to make space for the kind of dialogue that doesn’t always fit in a meeting invite.

I’ve watched these dinners shift how people see each other. A junior team member finds out their quiet idea is already inspiring change on another team. A senior leader hears how a decision felt on the ground floor. A creative solution is sparked over bread and shared laughter. It’s not magic. It’s design. And it works. This isn’t about access for access’ sake. It’s about creating opportunities to listen across levels, to share experiences without performance, and to remind each other that good ideas can come from anywhere.

It’s easy to assume that people feel connected at work because they attend town halls or get looped into emails. But connection isn’t broadcast. It’s built. One conversation at a time. One shared meal at a time. One bigger table at a time. I’ve seen how powerful it can be when a senior leader sits down with no agenda other than to listen and engage. It sends a signal that voices matter. That culture isn’t just about policies or programs. It’s about the moments we choose to show up, listen deeply, and create space for people to feel seen.

A Bigger Table is about more than dinner. It’s about belonging. It’s about trust. It’s about reminding people that no matter their function, title, or background, they have a place in the conversation — and something valuable to contribute.

And yes, good food always helps too!