The art of gathering: March 29: Chapter 5

[mcgain]

Book: The art of gathering, how we meet and why it matters by Priya Parker (Readings, BookShop, Amazon)

Aiming to read:

Chapter 5:  Never start a funeral with logistics 

MC: @antulik Notes: @pat

See you all at 12pm AEST, March 29th @ https://blackmill.co/meet

As always, if you'd like a calendar invite and/or access to Slack beforehand, get in touch via gday@blackmill.co.

[pat]

MC: @antulik

[pat]

• Several people didn't finish the chapter, found it a bit boring.

Priming

• example is having an agenda to meetings.
• Useful thinking about workshops, and start to ask some questions a day before.
• considered within dating, starting some conversation via messages before an in-person date can help build excitement.
• Rails Camp does a little bit of priming now, but initially had a lot more around preparing talks, hack projects. Hype had happened on Twitter, doesn't occur as much now.
• Could use Slack, though does it become more an extension of the conference vs priming? Giving a space for people to discuss isn't necessarily priming, but seeding conversation about certain topics on Slack would be priming.
• Flash cards for learning attendee names/faces.
• Asking people what they want to discuss at a conference, put it on a badge - is that priming? If it's explained why you're asking for them.
• Naming/priming is all part of communicating clearly, which is a common thread in all the chapters.
• Badges aren't always embraced, is priming of the purpose of such tools necessary?
  • Put first name large, and on both sides!
• Could list attendees at an event, but that doesn't scale. Privacy implications as well.
• Invitations to events as a form of priming, and explaining why the invite has been made.
• Onboarding as priming.
• How can we be better at priming? Consider purpose of organisers, attendees. Send emails ahead of time, build excitement.
  • Blackmill workshops have a meet-the-host one-on-one chat prior to the workshop itself. Helps to build rapport and trust, and to cater content to people's needs.
  • Being upfront about interview processes, timing, etc.
  • Duration as a way of managing expectations.
  • Appreciating the reminder of priming, as we don't always have it in mind, or don't treat it as important.
• People are uncomfortable with the idea of being kidnapped for an event (or other unexpected activities)

Ushering

• Example of Fat Duck restaurant, confusion -> relaxed, with setting expectations of something a bit more theatrical.
• Immersive theatre, entering through different paths, separate from your social group.
• Is changing realities actually worth it? Though, escaping from reality can be great!
• Theme park in Portland.
• Work meetings in distinct meeting rooms - moving into that space is a light form of ushering.
• Unboxing as a form of ushering, launch screens.
• When you're given a nametag at a conference, or finding which table you're sitting at for a wedding.

Launching

• How to include a Welcome/Acknowledgement of Country while managing the vibe?
• Same with keynote speakers - hard to know how they'll affect the vibe.
• Challenge of community vs cliques, how to make sure all people feel welcome.
• Question about what's the purpose of welcomes to country.