There is something ✨ otherworldly ✨ that happens when people who care about the same things gather. On the second night of Running Remote, Annie Dean and Miriam Romaniuk hosted a small dinner with some of the people I respect most in this work. The conversation went deep, got expansive, rambled off track (you know we talked about astrology and Taylor’s new album), and refocused again and again until the second delicious dessert course had been served and it was time to go home. We left feeling closer to ourselves and each other, nourished on every level. Am I just describing a really great dinner party? Yes, but as a theory-of-gathering nerd, I’m here to unpack the *how*: 🍽 First, the environment. We were all out of our comfort zones, literally: 8pm in Lisbon, in a stunning, historic hotel, which connected us to the past and prompted us to think about the future. And the physical design of the room — a round table, warm and heavy textures, and a closed door — invited real intimacy. Talk to Ryan Anderson to learn more about how the built environment impacts how we feel. 👯 Second, a wonderfully curated group of people. I’m honored and grateful to have been included. In different ways, we’re all working to shepherd in a more inclusive and equitable future of work. From different parts of the world, with different angles and with different roles, we all brought something unique to the table. This allowed us to feel empowered to speak up and share, like our voice matters. 🃏 And finally, intentional conversation structure led us to a place of deeper belonging and alignment. We started with introductions, using our mini-speed friending card decks to motivate us. And then, what turned out to be the right question for the group: ✨ What did your parents do for work and how did that shape your relationship to work?✨ From that simple question came a patchwork of experiences, ideas, and backstories. We weren’t just talking about work, we were bringing our whole selves into the room. There's more: multiple courses created a sense of pace and progress; the container of the remote-work conference established a shared sense of purpose; the impact of vulnerability from higher status members of a group; the facilitation tactic of picking the next person to share created a feeling of collaboration; the way being heard and seen for who you truly are drives real belonging. I could go on. Molly Sands, PhD has found that high-quality in-person interaction like this can spur flights of innovation and engagement that last three or four months. (And at Gatheround, we specialize in creating a similar sense of emotional nourishment and collaboration in a virtual setting. Yes it’s possible!) It was a great gift to see this group of people together strengthening our trust and connections. I’m back home in LA, with a lot of hope and excitement for this movement that we are all building together. When we gather our collective brilliance, nothing is out of reach.
Dan Keldsen🌀
1mo
What an incredibly inspiring tale of what sounds like a truly magical experience! This is the sort of passion for more people focused organizations (and relationships in general) that I so enjoyed in the Enteprise 2.0 run up. Which (coincidentally enough) included the very early days of Atlassian revolutionizing how knowledge could flow more freely and democratically.
Dave Cairns
1mo
Learned so much about how to gather from you, Annie and Miriam! What a night and to then be on a panel the next day with Ryan Anderson + Allison Vendt … what a different level of conversation we were able to have … so serendipitous as I wasn’t supposed to be the one on the panel!
Rachit Kataria
1mo
This sounds like such a wholesome dinner! Putting amazing minds in the same room = 🪄✨
Allison Vendt
1mo
Lisa Conn it was such a special gathering - thank you for what you did to facilitate! And look forward to connecting again soon (let’s get some time on the calendar!!)
Is there a guest list? This sounds like a great experience!
Ryan Anderson
1mo
The highlight of the event for me!
Kelsey Garvey
1mo
💫
Suman Siva
1mo
Had to cancel trip Lisa Conn looked epic! Let’s catch up soon :)
Freeing people to get the most from life and work. Digital Independent, Tech Leader, Founder, Author, Advisor and #WorkAnywhere Advocate
1moFeeling some serious FOMO. Would have loved that conversation. Specially that first question "✨ What did your parents do for work and how did that shape your relationship to work?✨". Mine was an independent Electrician and a Legal Secretary - so both different than my path. I think about that also for my Kids - and how what I did and do now has influenced them as they find their individual paths.