Last week Cirrus had one of our biannual company days where the whole team takes time out to reflect, learn and grow together. With typical British optimism we decided weeks ago that we’d go for a long walk together, with time to talk and relax. We were lucky that the rain stayed away for at least the majority of the time we were outside, before we found the shelter of a lovely country pub.
I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to talk with a whole
range of colleagues, some of whom I see all the time, and some I see less
often. Walks are funny things, as they evolve, with movement among the
group happening naturally and fresh conversations sparking up on a regular
basis. It reminded me of a shoal of fish, moving in sync without a
prescribed structure. We talked about work things, personal things, and
other things. There was no set agenda but each exchange seemed appropriate
in that we found the right topic and explored it in a relaxed way.
We should do more of this. My father-in-law is a keen
walker and he enjoys the varied group of rambling friends he walks with.
There’s something about walking beside someone that encourages one to open up,
to listen, to ask the next question, and so on. It is a natural and
generative experience. A great way to connect.