Better Meetings with Feldenkrais® Principles

Applying Principles of the Feldenkrais Method® to meetings can enhance productivity, communication, and overall well-being. Here are some principles that are particularly beneficial for meetings:

  1. Meet Participants Where They Are: Recognize the different perspectives, backgrounds, and current states of mind of each participant. Tailor the meeting’s pace and content to accommodate these differences, fostering a more inclusive and effective discussion.
  2. Take the right amount of time: Take time to fully explore topics and ideas without rushing. This also allows each participant to participate, feeling included. This principle allows for deeper understanding and more thoughtful contributions, leading to more thorough and well-considered outcomes.
  3. Attend to relevant information. Bring the attention back to key points and avoid overloading the meeting with too many topics or tasks. Prioritizing quality over quantity can lead to more meaningful and actionable discussions.
  4. Don’t Rush: Avoid the tendency to make quick decisions or rush through many items. 
  5. Be Expansive. Pause to sense the larger picture.
  6. Pause and Breathe. Remind participants they can pause at any time and breathe. Have a “pause break” during the meeting. Participants will settle themselves and be more attentive to the upcoming topics and discussion.
  7. Listen More: Encourage active listening, where participants genuinely hear and consider each other’s ideas. This can lead to more collaborative and innovative solutions, as well as a greater sense of community and respect.
  8. Introduce Novelty and Variety: Incorporate new ideas, formats, or activities to keep the meeting engaging and stimulate creative thinking. Changing up the routine can prevent stagnation and maintain high energy levels.
  9. Inclusive Attention: 
  10. Practice Inclusiveness. Ensure that all voices are heard and valued. Creating an environment where everyone feels safe to contribute can enhance the richness of the discussion and lead to more comprehensive outcomes.
  11. Attend to the Quality of Movement and Self-Direction: Encourage participants to be mindful of their own comfort and well-being during the meeting. Simple practices such as adjusting seating positions or taking breaks can improve focus and overall participation.
  12. Decrease Effort to Increase Ability to Discriminate Finer Sensory Changes: Promote a relaxed and open atmosphere where participants don’t feel pressured to perform or compete. This can lead to more genuine interactions and insights.
  13. Connection of Head and Pelvis: Head Guides and Pelvis Drives: In the context of meetings, this principle can be metaphorically interpreted as aligning strategic thinking (head) with grounded actions (pelvis). Ensure that ideas and plans discussed are both visionary and practical.
  14. Self-Organize: Encourage participants to self-organize their thoughts and contributions. This principle helps create a more fluid and dynamic meeting environment where everyone feels responsible for their role and input.

By incorporating these Feldenkrais Principles into meetings, you can create a more effective, engaging, and harmonious environment that promotes better communication, creativity, and collaboration.

Better Meetings with Feldenkrais® Principles

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