Tough Talk? Try a Walk

Research shows that it can be less stressful to talk to someone when you’re walking side by side, with minimal eye contact, than conversing face to face. “When walking next to someone, a conversation becomes parallel play, with each person looking ahead yet connected by the exchange,” said Esther Perel, a couples therapist, author, and host of the podcast Where Should We Begin?

To help people get the most from their walk-and-talk, New York Times reporter Jancee Dunn asked for some tips from Perel and Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters. Here’s what Dunn learned:

• Consider a theme:  Think about the sort of conversation you’d like to have ahead of time. If you’re feeling creative, you may even want to give it a title, like Health and Fitness or Recruitment and Retention.
• Prep some prompts:  Walking invites easy conversation because we’re often more relaxed and open to tangents. Think about some conversation starters like: How can we dissolve our work silos? Or, How can we hold onto our best people? Or, How can we have more outdoor family time?
• Embrace the flow of conversation:  When we’re walking with another person, the social norms around silence and talking tend to shift. It’s fine to take a beat, which is its own kind of intimacy. Some of the best conversations often happen after periods of silence.

When was the last time you had a productive talk on a walk? Do you think it went better than if you were sitting face to face? Things to think about over the holiday and get ready to try them tomorrow back at work! To join the conversation, click "comments" above.

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