Priya Parker, author of The Art of Gathering and expert facilitator, shares her insights on transforming meetings and gatherings into meaningful experiences. She emphasizes that 90% of a gathering's success is determined before it begins, highlighting the need for intentionality in planning. Parker discusses strategies for fostering deeper connections, crafting engaging invitations, and leaving lasting impacts with effective closures. She also addresses navigating emotionally charged conversations and adapting to new dynamics in the post-pandemic world.
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volunteer_activism ADVICE
Intentional Gathering
Pause and ask why you are gathering or conversing.
Consider the purpose and need within the community or team.
insights INSIGHT
Pandemic's Impact on Meetings
The pandemic disrupted autopilot meeting scripts and prompted essential questions about gathering.
This interruption has democratized coordination and communication considerations.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Asking Impactful Questions
Ask questions everyone is interested in answering and hearing others answer.
Tailor questions to the specific context (work, family, etc.).
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In 'The Art of Gathering', Priya Parker argues that many gatherings are lackluster and unproductive, but they don't have to be. Drawing on her expertise as a facilitator of various types of gatherings, Parker offers a human-centered approach to create meaningful experiences. She explores a wide array of gatherings, including conferences, meetings, and social events, and provides practical advice on how simple changes can invigorate any group experience. The book emphasizes the importance of knowing the purpose of a gathering, selecting the right venue, and ensuring the event is unique and effective for all attendees.
Turn any meeting or get-together into a chance for deep connection and collaboration.
Whether you’re holding a team meeting or hosting a family get-together, the success of any gathering, says Priya Parker, isn’t about the perfect agenda or venue, but about the intentionality behind how you bring people together.
“90% of the success of any gathering happens before anyone enters the room,” says Parker. As the author of The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters, and a strategic advisor who has helped organizations worldwide reimagine their gatherings, Parker believes that thoughtful preparation can turn any meeting, whether professional or personal, into a meaningful and memorable experience for all involved. “Intentionality is the first step,” she says, “to pause and ask: why are we doing this? What is the purpose? What is the need in this community or in this classroom or in this team?”
In this episode of Think Fast, Talk Smart, Parker joins Matt Abrahams to explore the art of meaningful gatherings, sharing practical strategies for everything from crafting invitations that prime engagement to designing powerful closings that leave a lasting impact. By being more thoughtful in bringing people together, we can transform ordinary meetings into extraordinary opportunities for connection and collaboration.
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