When done with meaning and purpose, cracking the surface of polite conversation allows for change to seep through the fissures and bring forth awe-inspiring authentic human connection. Avoid fluff, put away the phones, and release the fear of being disruptive. The key to a purposeful gathering, whether it’s a board meeting, a sales dinner, or a going-away luncheon for a colleague, is to define the purpose and dig deeper. In other words, the norm of politeness is blocking our progress. “The best gatherings learn to cultivate good controversy by creating the conditions for it because human connection is as threatened by unhealthy peace as by unhealthy conflict." Priya Parker, a conflict resolution facilitator and author of The Art of Gathering : How We Meet and Why it Matters, says it’s important to embrace a specific disputable purpose. How do we come back and gather meaningfully when we’ve been disunited for so long? But how do we start? That’s the question at the center of the table.
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