If You Can't Get a Seat at the Table, Serve Water to Get in the Room.

There are always cliques in every industry. Being one of the youngest, or even a newbie, in an industry where OGs are very much still active.....I've found myself sometimes late to the "party", or even a forgotten invitation all together. (insert my small violin here lol)

But I get it. You've developed these relationships over the many, many, many years. You've grown together. Some OGs holding onto their OG status for dear life. And by golly, YOU created the tables! You set up these tables. You are Kings and Queens seated at the head of allllll the tables.

And then there are some who've secured their name at the table, right? They're not an OG, but they've been around awhile to earn a table card. A fancy, Egregio Script, bolded with a gold sticker, table card. You think "Why bring anyone else at the table?". You're best friends with the OGs already, that was the end game right? To gain industry respect, then lead the succession planning, and be next in line to wear the Crown. Yes or No?

Here's where musical chairs gets really fun. Stay with me here.

There are also some who are desperate for that extra seat. It's all about who you know though, right? Others, such as yourself, also invited but not seated. So don't tell me, that when the music stops, you wouldn't pull that chair straight out from under that colleague, friend, or stranger....or maybe even a table card holder. You aren't worried about us youngins or newbies, because you have your own agenda. And goodness gracious, you've been in it for awhile, so you deserve it right! ..........hmm.

You see, industries with super tight cliques frustrate me. (Even some companies). Everyone worried about their status or reputation. Who cares? Again, I get it, you like to hangout with people you know, trust, and like. But do you like them because they see the industry the way you do? Do you and your clique all agree? And what happens when you all leave? Your apprentice, who's never disagreed with you to ensure their seat at the table, will just carry on the same knowledge you passed down, and hence the saying "Well that's just how we've always done it" came about.

I don't want to play musical chairs with you. I just would like to be in the room please :)

We all would! There are also many others who've been it for a long time, who absolutely deserve a seat at the table, but they too will not play your elementary rhythmic Sun God circle dance....

So I will serve the water. I will find some sort of value, and be present. I will be a fly on the wall and absorb. I'm interested in your knowledge, not being seen at the tables. That's how I choose to create my opportunities. But then you ask "Christine, why don't you just pull up a chair?". Well, it's the tables that annoy me in the first place. The cliques. Give me the open rooms, the huge Welcome sign, and a bunch of bar belly table tops lol. Give me an industry willing to collaborate with their verticals, competitors, and youngins. And let's be more mindful of building our empire, rather than shining our crowns.

And I promise I'm a lot of fun!!! So holla atcha girl!!!