Walking Meetings

Portland is awash in sunshine and bird songs today! Sunny days always seem to come along when we are busy here in the studio and today is no exception – a new office space on the horizon, hiring happening and client projects to boot…whew! Rather than let all this warmth detract from our day of getting things done, we embarked on an afternoon walking meeting.

Some say walking meetings are just an excuse to get outdoors. And, how could one disagree? It is awfully nice to be outside. However, there may be more to the idea of walking and talking than just playing hookey! If our walk today was any indication, perhaps moving around actually speeds up the brain! In a short walk, we moved forward on our project for finding an office space, figured out all new equipment needed for our new space and new hire and where to get it all, went over no less than 3 estimates for new projects, returned our library books and made some top-secret decisions! That’s pretty good for a short meeting of any kind.

Plus, walking meetings are healthy! The Center for Health Improvement gives a number of guidelines for actually accomplishing something during these meetings (pdf). The key appears to be that walks should last about 20 minutes and everyone (6 or less people) should know that the walk is an actual meeting, ideal for bringing up big picture items.

Now, get out there and enjoy the sunshine!

Kandace Brigleb

Producer, co-founder of Needmore. Currently residing on the left coast.