A photo during a pause in an in-person “walk and talk” meeting
I love to walk.
Often these are solo walks. Occasionally I listen to music or an audiobook or podcast, but generally (though I take my earbuds with me) I simply walk in silence. I do take my phone with me, but it generally stays in my pocket unless I want to capture a thought by voice note, pick up the phone to someone while walking, or send someone a voice note (far easier than text when walking).
Now, in addition to solo walks, sometimes I have “walk and talk” calls with clients or other business contacts, where we both walk near our homes, earbuds in, and talk on the phone while walking.
Of course, also it is wonderful to walk and talk in person, and during some of the lockdowns, this was the only way to meet in person.
These habits really started in earnest during the first lockdown in the spring of 2020, and I am one of many who have continued with it. One particular client has taken this to a level where they have chosen a spot for walking meetings and often has several meetings in a row across half a day or so at that location, one after another.
I learned recently that we use more energy and focus to talk while seated than when walking. Interesting, we are less focussed on the person we are talking to when seated rather than when walking.
Interesting. This had me reflect on how often I get up to pace around when on a phone call and that thought immediately made the idea of focus being added to by walking rather than sitting make total sense.
This learning also makes me think about when to use a video meeting (when we must be sitting in front of the camera) and when to choose audio-only and go for a walk while talking.
I hope that these thoughts (climate permitting where you live!) have you consider doing more “walking while talking”.