Got Any Empty Chairs?

I love AI. Seriously.

But it's the things AI CAN'T do that we should be talking about.

It CAN'T advocate for you when you're not in the room.

It CAN'T introduce you to someone who changes your career.

Those things still belong to us.

Yesterday I gave a talk (at the Raleigh Chamber's Professional Women's Luncheon) about the future of work, and the hot topic for the day was...

A table.

More specifically... a Leadership Round Table

Picture six chairs.

One is yours (of course). But who should be sitting in the other five? Want my opinion?

• The Challenger tells you the truth, even when it's uncomfortable.
• The Sponsor says your name (adds to your credibility) in rooms you're not in.
• The Connector always knows somebody you need to know... and makes those introductions generously.
• The Coach sees your potential, helps you identify your blind spots and isn't afraid to help you grow.
• And the last chair? That one belongs to someone younger than you... the Next Gen Voice. That person helps you see what's changing before everyone else does.
  
  I think a lot of us hope the right people will just naturally find their way into our lives. That we'll stumble into great mentors, thoughtful friends, people who tell us the truth, or people who open doors we never even knew existed.

Sometimes that happens. But rarely.

99% of the time you have to build that table yourself.

As I looked around my own table, I realized four of the chairs are filled by exactly the right people.

And I also realized there's one chair that still needs someone in it.

Maybe that's true for you too.

So here's a question I'll leave you with this week: Who's at YOUR Leadership Round Table?

When we asked the audience yesterday, "Did any of you have a hard time filling in all five chairs of your round table?"

85% raised their hands. They left saying, "I've got work to do..."

So next week, we'll help you with that work. See you then!