Innovative Meetings: Transforming the Way We Collaborate
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Chapter 1: The Essence of Productive Meetings
Recently, I experienced a remarkable meeting with my colleagues at Born Global. The depth and focus of these gatherings are unparalleled.
What sets these meetings apart from the conventional, often mundane ones I usually attend?
In typical settings, I often find myself disengaged. Does that resonate with you? Many people seem to repeat familiar points, riding their own personal agendas. Leaders, while attempting to include everyone, often struggle to maintain direction.
Meetings tend to drag on, becoming overly complex. I switch to autopilot as the conversation becomes too rational and devoid of emotional engagement. By the end, I rarely leave with fresh insights or inspiration.
However, the atmosphere within Born Global is distinctly different. In this narrative, I'll delve into what makes these meetings transformative, innovative, and deeply focused.
"The master's tools will never dismantle the master's house." — Audre Lorde.
I'm proud to be part of Born Global, which emphasizes the 3E’s: Ecology, Education, and Employment, operating across six biomes: Lebanon, South Africa, Costa Rica, France, Egypt, and Maine (USA).
Currently, we are gearing up for a week of biomimicry education at the World Biodiversity Forum in Davos, Switzerland, scheduled for June 2022.
Our recent meeting revolved around crafting a perfume inspired by the Mediterranean biome. But what exactly is a biome? It represents the interplay between ecosystems and human culture.
We always initiate our designs from the biome perspective, yielding optimal results for both human prosperity and biodiversity. Our approach aligns with the triple bottom line: Planet, People, and Prosperity.
I am passionate about creating systems and educational narratives that resonate with women, as such collaborations can lead to significant transformation.
The traditional methods used in meetings must evolve to facilitate genuine change, which I will outline in this piece. Meetings like ours keep me engaged and invigorated, leaving me energized and inspired.
What's the secret to our engaging meetings? They are concise and purposeful, typically lasting no more than an hour. We consciously invite creativity to emerge organically, allowing us to disperse afterward to nurture our individual contributions to the project.
Magic in a Meeting
How do we cultivate this magic during our gatherings? It's about creating space—not just for the speaker but for the collective consciousness that emerges in the pauses between conversations.
To foster this environment, we incorporate three seconds of silence before responding to the previous speaker. We raise our hands when we wish to contribute, avoid interruptions, and eliminate the word "BUT" from our discussions, opting for "AND" instead. Respect for diverse perspectives is paramount.
Numerous platforms exist today that encourage such conscious meetings, where participants share ideas and discuss necessary societal changes. However, many of these discussions lack focus.
I often find myself frustrated when meetings drift aimlessly, with no clear purpose or defined roles for participants.
I prefer meetings that blend depth with focus, fostering tangible progress.
Focus
Another crucial aspect of a successful meeting is maintaining focus, which requires full attention from all participants. The ideal scenario involves a small, diverse group, which was the case in our recent meeting. We had a perfume designer skilled in natural fragrances and an archetype specialist from Joseph Campbell's team.
Within Born Global, I collaborate with individuals—regardless of gender—who effortlessly combine focus with creativity. They utilize their strong intuition and grounded presence to communicate essential ideas succinctly, fostering an inclusive environment.
As a result, in just one hour, we emerged with a clear sense of direction and profound contextual understanding!
Storytelling as a Tool for Change
Why is storytelling integral to the practical, employment-driven initiatives of the Born Global Foundation? Stories have the power to touch hearts, reintegrating the soul into our systems.
By translating archetypes and sensory experiences into the lives of modern individuals, we can envision a future that is both feasible and inspiring. This is why we plan to showcase performances, perfumes, and various rational projects aimed at job creation at the World Biodiversity Forum.
We intertwine rational, scientific themes—such as energy, mobility, hydrogen storage, and ecological fish farming—with visionary designs that resonate emotionally.
Our goal is to instill a sense of love and care that transcends monetary concerns, promoting a lifestyle in harmony with our planet's natural laws—resilient, adaptable, and sustainable.
Importantly, storytelling encompasses more than mere words; it involves context and visual design that engage all senses.
The sixth sense is simply the culmination of the other five, allowing for holistic thinking and engagement. This awareness can be cultivated, and when harnessed, it makes life feel more magical and manageable.
I extend my gratitude to my colleagues at Born Global for yet another enriching meeting experience. I cherish how our gatherings consistently blend focused productivity with an atmosphere that invites magic, innovation, and shifts in perspective.
Recapture
How can you facilitate focused, transformative meetings like ours?
- Clearly define a single topic.
- Select participants thoughtfully, ensuring a diverse group relevant to the topic.
- Start with a grounding exercise to help everyone settle in.
- Enforce respectful communication, keeping contributions concise and relevant.
- Create space for pauses, allowing collective consciousness to emerge.
- Gently steer discussions back to the main topic when they stray.
- Time management becomes natural when you focus on a one-hour duration.
- Assign preparatory work to participants to deepen the discussion.
- Conclude by scheduling the next meeting, ensuring continuity.
These meetings are most effective when participants have some prior experience, but with practice, your team's productivity can soar.
Keywords: purpose-driven focus, grounded intuition, relaxation, organic flow.
Happy meeting time!
Thank you, Mike, for enriching my insights on Abundanism, systemic design for a sustainable future, and wild writing.
© Désirée Driesenaar, 2022
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