“Let’s have lunch, OK?” That used to be my suggestion when I wanted to talk with someone, whether it be catching up with a friend or the need to discuss business. That was before the biometrics of Fitbit, among other things, nudged me to reach for a different way to conduct a small business meeting. Now, when I need to talk business, I often ask whether, instead of lunch, my acquaintance would like to talk while we walk in a park. I started doing this a couple years ago, and to my surprise the great majority of people would rather walk than sit in a restaurant or coffee shop. It’s a win-win-win in that it offers fresh air, exercise, nature and the opportunity to talk. If something comes up that I need to remember with precision, I dictate it on my phone as we walk. I’ve even sometimes met with clients while walking. Most people don’t care about the weather, as long as it is not raining, bitter cold or blisteringly hot.
I was reminded to post this because I set up another walk-meeting today. I need to discuss business with a woman who works downtown. As we discussed our need to meet this morning, she jumped at the opportunity to discuss work while we walk around the Gateway Arch grounds. I also set up a second business walk today; that one will happen in a few days in a gorgeous St. Louis Victorian Park called “Tower Grove Park.” Perhaps my new approach is my personal effort to emulate something like Aristotle’s Peripatetic school (“Peripatetic” is Greek for walking about). There’s yet another benefit of holding walking meetings: There is something about walking while talking that allows ideas to flow more freely for me.
I’m wondering whether anyone else out there has started steering their business meetings outside in the form of walks in the park rather than inside eateries?
