Collaboration: Setting the Table for Shared Success

A beautifully set table that is ready for guests. The table setting starts with with a blue, deep pink and green floral designed tablecloth and green napkins, topped with fruit inspired plates, and green glass goblets.

Think about the last time you prepared a meal for guests. You didn’t just throw food on the counter and hope for the best—you set the table. You thought about the menu, arranged the seating, and maybe even added a centerpiece or special touches to make people feel welcomed.

That’s the same intention we should bring to collaboration. Too often, leaders talk about wanting collaboration, but forget to “set the table.”

Everyone who knows me, knows that I have a passion for "tablescaping."

"Tablescaping" is the act or "art" of creatively and intentionally arranging a table setting so that it conveys a specific theme, mood, or experience. It comes with great preparation and can make an ordinary meal feel extraordinary.

It's more than simply setting the table with plates, forks, knives, a glass and a napkin, it's creating the vibe or mood that comes across when you see the tablescape, whether the table is set for two, four, six or 26.

The tablescape communicates what the host intends. It invites people into a conversation without creating the conditions for them to feel welcome, valued, and heard. When we overlook preparation, we risk leaving our collaborators standing at the door, unsure if there’s truly space for them.

When the table is set, however, everything changes.

• There’s clarity. Just like a place setting signals where each person belongs, clear roles and expectations let collaborators know how they fit into the vision.

• There’s respect. A prepared table says, I was expecting you, and you matter here. The same goes for making room for diverse voices at the decision-making table.

• There’s opportunity for abundance. When people bring their “dishes”—their skills, ideas, and perspectives—the table becomes rich, colorful, and nourishing.

Collaboration thrives in environments of preparation and intentionality. If we only invite people but fail to create space where they can contribute, we’ve set the table halfway. True leadership is about anticipating needs, welcoming contributions, and ensuring every voice has a seat.

So the next time you’re gathering collaborators, ask yourself: Have I set the table? Have I made room for people to show up fully? Have I created an atmosphere where their gifts can be received?

Because collaboration isn’t just about having people in the room—it’s about making them feel at home at the table.

So let's reflect: 

Who needs an invitation to your table right now? And more importantly—how will you prepare the space, so their presence enriches the whole experience?

If you’re ready to create a culture of collaboration where every voice has a seat at the table, let’s talk. As a Speaker, Consultant and Coach, I help nonprofit leaders and executives set the stage for meaningful collaboration, stronger teams, and lasting impact.

Connect with Motivational Muse today for Executive Coaching and Nonprofit Consultations that move you—and your organization—forward with intention and purpose.