Walking conversations beat sitting ones because text is harder while walking.

technique — attributed to Xavier Mufraggi

Mufraggi sometimes opens a Zoom by saying let's walk and talk virtually. The mechanism is small and structural. When you are walking, you cannot text at the same time. The participant's attention is forced into the conversation because the alternative input channels are occupied. At Club Med, he took the same idea further and brought ten bikes into a meeting. The technique generalizes. Any format that physically occupies the channels that would otherwise distract the participant produces more attention than the same conversation held seated at a desk. The body is part of the meeting.

For team leaders running one-on-ones and small group conversations virtually or in person. The technique is also useful as a creative-thinking unlock for stuck conversations.

walking-meetings, attention, presence, virtual-design