Recently, I helped design and run an in-person gathering of 40+ people from around the world. How gratifying and effective for people to engage in meaningful and flowing conversations as they glided among groups and spoke in plenary. The shift to working online dimmed my connection to the dynamism and efficacy of in-person meetings.
Context supports the work of official sessions. Everyone feeling the same weather, marveling over the snack cakes, figuring out the coffee machine, or admiring shoes. The interstitial engagements beyond the formal gathering wove the community with collective experience and meaning. The walks between sessions or conversations over meals enriched the conference as people connected beyond pre-set topics.
We used the space not just to contain people, but as a facilitator of the work. I made the room maps people traversed to learn about each other. Another person conducted us as an orchestra. We visited nearby woods, museum, and garden as though guest speakers.
Though pocket devices could remove us psychically from the venue, we chose to immerse ourselves in learning in, about, and through community. Transmission was as swift as eye contact and a smile or as slow and unwinding as working silently beside others. Sometimes people hugged or touched an arm to convey care and resonance.
These elements, singly and in totality, are not available online. Yes, online makes a lot possible, and I am there often, enough that I was startled by the jolt of energy I and other participants got from working in-person.
How refreshing to interact with life-sized people, not only their square on the screen. How invigorating to use and occupy space beyond just sitting still and upright within the camera’s frame. No one inadvertently on mute! Physical interaction was possible — to offer food, a hug, feel the body warmth of my neighbor. Everyone was “on screen” with no wondering whether they were fully present. Strength of the Wi-Fi didn’t matter. People didn’t call from their car distracted by the demands of driving and other passengers.
Online meetings function — for updates and short thinking sessions. With mindful design, they can support longer durations. They shorten otherwise inconvenient distances. So why meet in person at all? Because we are social creatures, innately attuned to minute shifts that indicate connection, learning, confusion, hope, excitement, care, and so much more. Despite the challenges of travel, sometimes work is more efficient in person, especially when interpersonal connection, group cohesion, and deep thought matter.
- Do you over-rely on online meetings? How do you know?
- What do you gain or lose by online v in-person meetings?
- Do you let convenience or purpose drive the decision about how to meet?