We’re big walkers here at Notable. We love doing it and we love writing about it, because we know first-hand just how beneficial and enjoyable this simple activity is for us young professionals. You can imagine, then, how thrilled we were to discover the new workplace trend of “walking meetings.” Again, this activity is oh so simple and yet incredibly effective at changing up and improving our workdays and working relationships. Here are some notable points to help encourage you, your colleagues, and your clients to head on out and get walking and talking together:
The power of walking and talking
There is a very strong mind-body connection when it comes to the activity of walking and talking. As the body moves, the mind moves, and as the mind moves, the mouth moves. The notion of “getting the juices flowing” could not be more fitting than when applied to the act of walking and talking in work mode with workmates.
As opposed to sitting across a desk, walking alongside others out in nature, at the same pace, creates a different sort of relationship, one of more equality and less intensity. There is less eye contact when we walk side by side, which can generate a more comfortable environment where ideas and opinions can be more easily and openly discussed. Similarly, engaging in physical activity while simultaneously discussing things of an intense nature, or while trying to work through a difficult challenge, can help calm those physical effects of stress and anxiety, allowing the mind to see and work more clearly. In effect, walking meetings are a time to give your body a break, while keeping your mind on the job.
Change perspectives and dynamics together
Like the movement of your feet, the swinging of your arms, creativity flows when the body is in motion. Taking your business partner or colleagues outside for a walking meeting helps inspire different perspectives by exposing the mind to new sights, sounds, smells, etc. If you are looking for fresh new ideas, you are going to need a fresh new environment. Additionally, walking meetings also create flow within normally stagnant group dynamics. The leader position may stay the same, but the rest of the group will continuously transform as walking paces change and as physical terrains vary (think the changing widths of sidewalks). Those who normally sit back and keep quiet during traditional meetings may find themselves beside the leader having to speak up, while the usual big talkers end up in the back doing more listening.
Also, consider walking meetings for those clients who may not be so used to a boardroom or office setting. The office can be an intimidating or stale place for some people, and so suggesting a stroll outside may ease certain clients and lead to more productive meetings.
Notable tip: Use a recording device (there’s an app for that!) to capture all the ideas that come out during your walking meeting so no one is worried about forgetting anything important.