Are walking meetings productive?

Imagine the following scenario: you are in a small, dimly lit room with a lot of people and you are listening to someone for almost an hour. Time flies and the monologue drags on without ideas or a solution to the problem emerging. Is the environment part of the problem? is it possible to have Productive Meetings without the participants feeling comfortable?

If you want to be innovative and try a different way of meeting, we recommend outdoor walks. It may sound strange, especially if your company has traditional management methods and the relationship between employees is quite formal. But adopt this practice stimulates creativity in meetings and makes them more productive.

Productive outdoor meetings

Compare the two scenarios: the cramped, dimly lit room described above and an outdoor exercise in a location surrounded by trees and without the visual suppression of a formal meeting. The tendency is that the second option inspires more freedom. Ideas go in open places flow more naturally and there are more opportunities for productive meetings.

And that’s not just a theory. In a 2014 studyconducted by Stanford University professors Daniel Schwartz and Marily Oppezzo and published by American psychological societyWalking has been proven to have a positive impact on health creative process.

However, it is necessary to know how to use this trick wisely. Meetings are usually more productive small groups, from 3 to 5 people. More people are already complicating the exercise and spreading ideas. In addition, all participants must be able to engage in at least light physical activity and be free from the risk of injury or other health problems.

Three reasons to hold meetings on foot

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, there are other benefits of turning walks into productive meetings. Experienced:

1. Health Benefits

sedentary and poor position in the workplace, especially in large companies and offices, can lead to health problems. Taking a break from walking can reduce these risks.

2. Break down hierarchical barriers

For example, meeting on foot tends to reduce the distance between bosses and workers. That makes the match friendlier and even more productive. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is a fan of these types of meetings.

3. Happier employees

The end of the working day combined with outdoor exercise is helping to transform the work environment. The feeling solidity increases and employees are happier. As a result, productivity increases.