narrative Archives

Walk and Listen . Get to know someone better through their own story in their own words. Don’t let Covid constrain our working practice more than it has.

Why take this challenge?

Build better, closer understanding with the people ‘around’ you.

Recognise people in their own story and enjoy the privilege of sharing in that story.

Break out of the working patterns that Lockdown has imposed upon us.

Back when working life was more ‘normal’, I used to organise ‘Walk and Talk‘ activities for mixed groups of different clients in the Derbyshire Peaks.

They were always a huge success. There is something about the rhythm of walking that makes silence okay, and keeps the brain moving.

Recently, Dietmar Harteveld suggested a walk and talk to me – him walking in Yorkshire, and me in Essex, connected by our mobiles, and I have to say it worked great. It felt so good to be out of the house. And it felt like he was there keeping pace beside me.

And it prompted me to think of an Adventure that Miles Protter proposed to me at the start of all this, and the realisation that now, in the heart of the restrictions, will be perfect for it.

So this week’s adventure is about two things, both of which thumbs our nose at Covid: walking virtually with someone; and making a real human connection through listening to their story.

+ Green track - taking it in your stride

What is your story?

Miles points out that very few people have ever been asked to talk about themselves. To have 15 minutes uninterrupted focus on them and their story, told in their way. If you stop and think about your team, and you were to ask each of them: “What is your story?”, would you know what each would answer? Do you know what you would answer?

So Miles’ adventure is: Ask someone out for a (virtual) walk where they tell their story. Without interruption or questions. For at least 15 minutes. Just explain to them that you realise you don’t really know their story, and that you would like to hear it. You want to understand a bit more about the things in their lives. And what they feel brought them to who they are today?

But please bear in mind that you should be prepared that they might ask the same thing of you.

Our hope is that the walk, and the talk, will reignite some of the human elements that may have been struggling of late.

+ Blue track - a bit of a workout (click to open)

What is their story?

If you find you get something out of the green track, consider extending this adventure to the other people in your team. And to other colleagues, customers, your network, anybody with whom you have regular contact. Simply explain the rationale, and perhaps use your green track experience as a example of why you think you will find it of value.

Not everyone will go for it, but that is okay too!

+ Red track - stepping up to bat (click to open)

Planning for a virtual future

There is something about going on a 15-30 minute walk with someone, particularly when you don’t have to talk: You can start out in companionable silence, but then something will always spark a conversation.

The reality for many of us in the new normal is that there will be less opportunity for coffee machine conversations, and so we will need to find a way to replace this with other things that keep our working relationships human.

The red track is about creating a culture for your team where they have regular walk and talks together. Where the goal is always to understand and appreciate each other better. To practice curiosity in each other, and avoid judgement. To build empathy, and to build the skills of building empathy.

You may find the following resources helpful in tackling your challenge or in gaining further benefits from the skills and insights you develop

General guidance on walk and talk: https://meeting.toolchest.org/walk-and-talk-meetings/
Useful ‘getting to know more about you’ questions from Forbes and Sign-up-Genius

To catch up on past adventures you may have missed, feel free to browse our Adventures Library

Let us know how you get on.
Share your experience, your insights and your observation using the comments section at the bottom of the Linkedin post.

Please help us to extend and develop our community by sharing what you are doing. Click on the links below where you are most active, and then like or share the article to your network. Thank you for helping.

And share your progress and insights with the Twitter LbA community using #leadingbyadventure

Useful links:

Introduction to Leading by Adventure  |  What we mean by spirituality?  |  Why Adventure
Adventures to date   |  I did it, but it didn’t work very well   |  How do I know if it is working
Bringing this thinking into your meetings   |  Adventure & Mental Health
Leading by Adventure community   |  Explore Strategic Support options

Acknowledgements:

Inspired by Miles Protter, Steve Quinn, Dietmar Harteveld, and Jeremy Clare, and all of those who have helped me shape and trial Walk and Talk over the years: Andrew Taylor, Andy Withers, Bev Shepherd, Bill Pigg, Bob Judd, Brian Holliday, Bryan Sargeant, Chandra Lodhia, Clare Holden, Dario Buccheri, Derek Silcock, Dilip Popat, Ian Winter, Jennifer Atkinson, Jeremy Clare, Jonathan Chappel, Juergen Maier, Malcolm Denham, Mark Holden, Mark Preston, Mark Richardson, Mark Savage, Martin Panak, Martin Stow, Mike Brown, Mike Clargo, Peter Desmond, Phil Ranson, Richard Warren, Robin Phillips, Russ Spargo, Sarah Amies, Simon Ormston, Steve Blakeman, Steve Watters, Wayne Tantrum, Wendy O’Sullivan, Zoe Keens