4 ms·

For the last year or so I have scheduled my two status meetings back to back in the mornings. That means I have 90 minutes of walking in the forrest in the morn

For the last year or so I have scheduled my two status meetings back to back in the mornings. That means I have 90 minutes of walking in the forrest in the morning (30min before the meetings and then 30min each for the two meetings). I have two teams reporting to me, and each have a 30minute morning meeting where we decide what needs the team attention during the day. There is also room for small talk to keep it a bit social. Those meetings do not need screensharing very often. When they do, we can manage to look briefly at a phone screen. It has been wonderful and it is something I would miss if I ever had another job. I encourage the others in the team to do the same thing. Walking in the forrest have two benefits; less risk of getting hit by a car, and, it’s more quiet of a background for when I unmute. Highly recommended!

holler 4y ago
> Walking in the forrest have two benefits; it’s less chance to get hit by a car, and it’s more quiet of a background for when I unmute. More than that, it's very cathartic and peaceful. I used to live next to a big park on the Puget Sound and I would do a similar routine, in addition to occasionally taking a stroll through the park (effectively a forest) at lunch. It had a very calming effect, def miss that!
oangemangut 4y ago
What about for other users of the forest? Hopefully you're able to stay well away from them so as not to disturb the peace and quiet of the forest for work.
- surfsvammel 4y ago
  There are not that many other people. And, it’s not like I am lecturing. I’m having conversations in meetings. I speak about 1/7 of the time. Most of the time I’m on mute. If I run in to someone, I politely say hello, and that’s that.
randycupertino 4y ago
Don't you feel rude to the other people trying to enjoy their time in the forest for yammering on a work call? Not as egregious as the mountain bikers who blast music from speakers on the trails as they ride, but still.
- jessewmc 4y ago
  What does this mean? Is there a list of approved conversation allowed on trails? What difference does it make if they are talking to someone virtually or physically present on the trail?
  - rytis 4y ago
    I guess it depends. When you're talking to a person directly, most likely your ears aren't blocked. So you get the feedback of your voice levels, and adjust accordingly. This is really difficult to do when you have earphones in, blocking everything. Usually people with both earphones in tend to raise their voices nearly to a shouting level. I don't know if OP does that or not though.
    - Simon_O_Rourke 4y ago
      It's more that their full attention isn't on the meeting at hand - how can it be when they're wandering some nature trail taking it all in? If I spent a week busting my ass to get some feature shipped, and in a sprint re-cap meeting all I see is my boss wandering a forest trail going "Uh-hu, uh-hu, wow there's a red-breasted warbler..." I'd become very upset.
      - iancmceachern 4y ago
        Exactly, I don't this gives either thing the respect it deserves. Just do both things, on their own, properly.
        elric 4y ago
        Are we gatekeeping walks and meetings now? You can walk and talk and not annoy other people -- if other people are even around. You can also walk and talk and give enough attention to your meeting. Use your judgement.
mandeepj 4y ago
> I have two teams reporting to me, and each have a 30minute morning meeting where we decide what needs the team attention during the day. Why you have to talk with your team on a daily basis? That’s too frequent and into weeds. The earliest should be weekly. Delegate and plan for long term. > Walking in the forrest have two benefits; less risk of getting hit by a car There’s a risk with everything. You just switch one with another.

holler 4y ago

> Walking in the forrest have two benefits; it’s less chance to get hit by a car, and it’s more quiet of a background for when I unmute. More than that, it's very cathartic and peaceful. I used to live next to a big park on the Puget Sound and I would do a similar routine, in addition to occasionally taking a stroll through the park (effectively a forest) at lunch. It had a very calming effect, def miss that!

oangemangut 4y ago

What about for other users of the forest? Hopefully you're able to stay well away from them so as not to disturb the peace and quiet of the forest for work.

surfsvammel 4y ago
There are not that many other people. And, it’s not like I am lecturing. I’m having conversations in meetings. I speak about 1/7 of the time. Most of the time I’m on mute. If I run in to someone, I politely say hello, and that’s that.

randycupertino 4y ago

Don't you feel rude to the other people trying to enjoy their time in the forest for yammering on a work call? Not as egregious as the mountain bikers who blast music from speakers on the trails as they ride, but still.

jessewmc 4y ago
What does this mean? Is there a list of approved conversation allowed on trails? What difference does it make if they are talking to someone virtually or physically present on the trail?
- rytis 4y ago
  I guess it depends. When you're talking to a person directly, most likely your ears aren't blocked. So you get the feedback of your voice levels, and adjust accordingly. This is really difficult to do when you have earphones in, blocking everything. Usually people with both earphones in tend to raise their voices nearly to a shouting level. I don't know if OP does that or not though.
  - Simon_O_Rourke 4y ago
    It's more that their full attention isn't on the meeting at hand - how can it be when they're wandering some nature trail taking it all in? If I spent a week busting my ass to get some feature shipped, and in a sprint re-cap meeting all I see is my boss wandering a forest trail going "Uh-hu, uh-hu, wow there's a red-breasted warbler..." I'd become very upset.
    - iancmceachern 4y ago
      Exactly, I don't this gives either thing the respect it deserves. Just do both things, on their own, properly.
      - elric 4y ago
        Are we gatekeeping walks and meetings now? You can walk and talk and not annoy other people -- if other people are even around. You can also walk and talk and give enough attention to your meeting. Use your judgement.

mandeepj 4y ago

> I have two teams reporting to me, and each have a 30minute morning meeting where we decide what needs the team attention during the day. Why you have to talk with your team on a daily basis? That’s too frequent and into weeds. The earliest should be weekly. Delegate and plan for long term. > Walking in the forrest have two benefits; less risk of getting hit by a car There’s a risk with everything. You just switch one with another.