issue no.17
59
is for the group to be as large as
‘power’ position. Avoid those larger
Periodically, a conversation summary
possible (to provide diversity) and as
circular banquet tables commonly
or recommendation within table
small as possible (to provide intimacy
used at weddings and business
groups is shared across table-groups.
and participation). Experience
breakfasts, and seating ten to twelve
The transformation in energy,
suggests that five or six is an ideal
people. Conversation across these
engagement, idea-sharing and
number, a size akin to sharing a meal
tables is all but impossible.
commitment has been remarkable.
with friends. If small circular tables are What happens if there are more
unavailable, then rectangular tables
than six people choosing to attend
work, three people per side. If there
the meeting? The answer lies in
are multiple tables, arrange the tables
accommodating participants in
like a fan, so the long axis of each
multiple table groups, each of five or
table faces the rostrum or screen.
six people.
People are seated at the sides of
Yes, this may well be different to
these tables, looking down the long
current practice. It all depends on
axis.
whether the goal is compliance or commitment. If the latter, then
In a rectangular room, presentation
behavioural change may well be
facilities are normally at the narrow
necessary.
end of the room. Where possible,
What is being suggested here will make more sense when combined with other supporting recommendations to be covered in future articles. One piece of a jigsaw puzzle rarely makes any sense. All the pieces are needed together to create a comprehensive picture. Back to the physical geography for the meeting? Up until the turn of the century, formal meeting spaces were commonly rectangular and designed with either theatre-style seating or with a large rectangular table with a senior person seated at the head of the table. These two formats work if the intent of the meeting is for the powerful to ‘tell’ those with less power. However, if participation and engagement is beneficial, then other formats work better. A more productive format is for meeting participants to work at small circular tables, thus eliminating any
consider rotating that orientation 90 degrees, so the screen and rostrum is in the middle of the long axis. Here the fan-like table configuration works particularly well. Where the number of tables is greater than will be comfortably accommodated in this fan configuration, then place a second array of tables behind the first array, with the tables in the second array offset, creating a line of vision between the tables in the first array. Returning to the clients and the monthly meeting of 40 managers, the secret to invigorating the meetings was to change the physical setting. Managers now sit at diverse table-groups of six. Each of the owners sit at a different table, together with their managers. At each natural break, everyone moves to a new small group, with a different combination of people.
About the author Ian Plowman, PhD Ian is a consultant, facilitator and social researcher with over 30 years’ experience as an organisational psychologist. He works with individuals, organisations, industries, communities and government agencies. He holds a Doctorate in Management (researching blockages to innovation), an Advanced Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Organisational Psychology and an Honours Degree in Clinical Psychology. Ian helps clients to develop skills and awareness to remove organisational blockages and raise levels of engagement, creativity and innovation. He can be contacted via: Web: www.cooperativeconversations. com.au, or LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin. com/in/ian-plowman-meetings