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Hosting a walking meeting is very easy. But this small act was revolutionary for Spotify founder and CEO Daniel Ek.
“I’ve built so many meaningful relationships and had so many impactful conversations walking and talking that it probably counts as one of my greatest life hacks. ‘ the tech executive tweeted on Wednesday.
Ek’s comment was to a recent comment. new york times Works that celebrate the benefits of walking and talking, whether for business or personal reasons.
Conversations on foot seem to “flow more smoothly,” the authors wrote, as if stride length sets “the tempo of speaking.” Times” Jancy Dunn.
Plus, speakers are expected to face forward most of the time rather than talking to each other, which makes it less awkward, she notes.
The best qualities of walking conversations may seem subjective, but there’s science to back them up. According to a 2021 article in Nature-based Career Coaching, walk-and-talk career coaching in a nature-based environment can alleviate symptoms of burnout and improve mental health, while at the same time providing a comforting and even restorative experience. Offers. Journal of Environmental Psychology.
Another benefit, the authors noted, is exposure to sunlight, which may improve mood in depressed patients.
The researchers divided the 40 participants, mostly women who all complained of burnout and stress, into two groups. One received career coaching on a nature walk. Another received career coaching in a traditional setting. They sought improvements in areas such as burnout, ‘boredom’, distress, concentration problems, job enjoyment and commitment, hope, and mindfulness.
Those who received traditional coaching improved somewhat in some areas during the course of the program. However, the authors found that those improvements began to reverse towards the end, leaving no lasting positive effects.
However, those who received nature-based walk-and-talk coaching showed continuous improvement in most domains, with some improvement during the program and even greater improvement at the end.
It is noteworthy, the authors say, that such positive results occurred in autumn and winter, and the results “could be even more pronounced in seasons with more sunshine and greener foliage.” There is,” he added.
Conversation starters for walks on the go
Want to start your own walk-and-talk at work but don’t know where to start? Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, interviewed I was. times I created a piece and proposed the following themes:
wandering: Choose a neighborhood, park, or area you haven’t explored yet to explore together. “Let’s talk about things that don’t happen very often in everyday life,” Parker suggested.
memory: Discuss important life memories that the other person may not be aware of.
Hard work: Walkers can share their own concerns. “Just listen deeply,” Parker advised, without giving advice or judgment.
No plans in particular: Parker says you don’t have to plan out the details for these things. Instead of meeting up for lunch or a bar after work, switch places and get your body moving.
It’s off topic, but here are Parker’s favorite conversation starters. Why do you think they got so far under your skin?
“This question often leads to passionate and very hilarious conversations,” she said, adding that the question was “a little offensive, a little bit erotic.”
