There’s a story I love about an executive who always kept one empty chair in every meeting he led. It sat quietly at the table, never occupied, yet its presence changed everything.
One day, a new team member finally asked why the chair was always empty. The executive replied simply:
“That chair represents the most important person in this meeting: the person who isn’t here. It’s for the people we serve, the customers we haven’t met yet, and the team members we’re responsible for leading.”
Suddenly, the whole team saw the empty chair differently. It wasn’t wasted space; it was sacred space. A tangible reminder that:
Philippians 2:3-4 captures this perfectly: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.”
Think about Jesus Himself. The most influential leader the world has ever known built His legacy by giving His power away, not accumulating it.
In John 13, we see Jesus kneeling to wash the feet of His disciples. He willingly chose the lowest seat, the servant’s chair, demonstrating the greatest leadership lesson of all: humility.
It seeks ways to lift others up, empowering them to grow, shine, and succeed.
You might lead a company, a small business, or your family. Regardless of your platform, God calls you to adopt the posture of humility: leaving space at the table for others, especially those who can never repay you.
This week, approach life with an “empty chair” mentality and ask yourself honestly:
Who am I leaving space for at my table?
Who in my life could I elevate, encourage, or empower?
Am I chasing recognition, or am I truly serving?
When you leave space for others, God multiplies your impact far beyond what you could achieve alone.
Remember, real leaders aren’t measured by how many chairs they fill themselves, but by how many they willingly leave open for someone else.
