Ever wondered what Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, and Barack Obama have in common?
It’s not just their success but a simple practice they all share—walking meetings.
Bonjour, in this video, I want to share with you one simple and effective practice that can boost your creativity and productivity.
I recently had a session with Anita, a leader from a global organization. She was having a tough week, and the stress was palpable.
We kicked off our 45-minute meeting with a clear agenda. But here’s the twist—Anita decided to take the meeting on the move. She strolled outside her office for about 20 minutes, phone in hand, engaging in a discussion that was more about creativity and brainstorming solutions. When we returned, we spent the last 20 minutes mapping out concrete solutions.
Walking meetings aren’t just my personal preference; even giants like Johnson & Johnson have studied and endorsed their positive impact. Harvard Business Review has sung praises for the engagement boost they provide. And let’s not forget Stanford University, which found that walking enhances creativity.
But before you lace up those sneakers for your next walking meeting, consider these tips:
1. Clearly define the meeting’s aim and agenda beforehand.
2. Utilize the walking time for creativity, idea exchange, and active listening.
3. If you need to take notes, keep it simple. Let ideas flow and recap at the end.
So, my question for you is this: Would it be worth incorporating a walking meeting into your routine? How can a bit of fresh air benefit you and your team?
Give it a shot and let me know how it goes!
This is this week’s Work Smarter: Live Better tip.
I’m off to continue my walk, or should I say, thinking meeting, by the beach.
Wishing you a fantastic day!
A bientôt,
Cyril
