What would happen if you take a group of people and an agenda and put them in different settings? Would the conversations be different? Would the group dynamics be the same?

Don’t look for a venue. Look for an environment – one that matches the conversations you want to happen. You’ll be amazed at how you can accelerate to honest, valuable insights if you choose well.

There’s a wealth of psychological and sociological research showing that our surroundings significantly influence our behavior, including how we communicate, interact, and feel.

Here are two study examples, if someone you know needs ‘proof’:

Open vs. Closed Seating Arrangements (Sommer, 1969): Research indicates that circular seating arrangements encourage inclusivity and discussion, while rows or rigid layouts discourage engagement (Sommer, 1969).

Biophilic Design & Well-being (Kellert et al., 2008): Natural elements (plants, wood, soft textures) make people feel more at ease, leading to more open and positive interactions.

Oh – and did you spot some hands-on activities to help advance the narrative? This is particularly important for a neurodiverse audience – more on that in my next post…