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Walking Pair Conversations

Two people, one question, twenty minutes of walking. Movement and the absence of eye contact make it easier to say the honest thing. Bring one sentence back to the room.

15-25 min4-30 peopleMediumopenerreflectionverify
When to Use

Use as an opener when the honest answer is slightly uncomfortable and a seated circle would produce the polite one.

How It Works

Solves: Seated check-ins produce the answer people think they should give.

Step-by-Step Instructions
Follow these steps to facilitate this method
  1. 1

    Step 1: Give one question. Just one. Make it specific and slightly uncomfortable (2 min).

  2. 2

    Step 2: Pair people who do not work together daily. Send them outside or around the building (15 min).

  3. 3

    Step 3: Each person talks for half the walk. The other listens without fixing.

  4. 4

    Step 4: Back in the room, each person offers one sentence from the walk. No discussion yet (5 min).

Facilitator Tips
  • Give the question before they leave the room, not while walking.
  • Enforce the swap at the halfway point or one person will talk the whole way.
  • This does not work online. Use a phone call with cameras off if you must.
Source: Facilitation Practice