Reframing healthy events

There is more to healthy meetings than baseline factors such as natural light, fresh air, whole foods and beverages, ergonomic seating, breaks and offering early-bird yoga.

In fact, taking a more connected view of what you can do to enrich the communication process before, during and after the event will result in healthier outcomes.

Just as mushrooms cannot reach full maturity without mycelium, we cannot reach our full potential without human connection. Events remain a powerful tool for connecting as individuals, teams, and organisations. Here are our top five event tips that offer you the biggest bang for your buck when you want focused, productive, healthy and high-performing event participants..

Winning together

At internal events, provide people multiple opportunities to experience the satisfaction of small or big wins. Tap into their collective intelligence to solve problems together. This allows the group to benefit from diverse skills and perspectives. Add meaningful teambuilding activities. And find ways to involve them in decision-making processes before, during and after the event. A recent McKinsey study reported that involving your team in decision-making around vision or strategy development and implementation is key to improving organisational health.

Deepen connectivity

A deeper connection to something bigger than oneself is also linked to maintaining good emotional and spiritual health. Building your agenda around a shared purpose gives direction and peace of mind. This is relevant for both internal and external events. A recent report on healthy workplaces also suggests creating social-connection stations where people can just 'hang out’ in a safe space. At events, build in time and places for informal, agenda-free networking in lounge-style areas.

Recognise & reward

Identify your team's appreciation language and integrate recognition and reward moments in your event in the form of an awards ceremony, best practice sharing, open gratitude forums, subject-expert call outs, and celebrating diversity. When employees are openly rewarded for their performance they feel ownership and pride, and experience decreased stress and higher levels of energy. You can also challenge thinking by positively recognising meaningful failures.

Enhance neuroplasticity

Virtually all types of events and meetings benefit from adding activities based on growth mindset principles such as feedback exercises, sharing successes, interdisciplinary learning methods and collaborative problem solving to enhance neuroplasticity. This helps people learn new skills easier, boosts memory retention and prepares them to better adapt to change. Explore intelligent learning design to support neurodiveristy.

Maximise mindfulness

Use 1-2-4-all methodologies to give people time for self-reflection and to ensure everyone gets a voice. For larger corporate events, take advantage of digital signage systems to encourage people to use the stairs instead of elevators. Use meeting apps or bracelets to build in deep breathing or refocusing breaks. Schedule outdoor activities. Creatively use colours, scents, sounds and textures with a view to your purpose and theme.

And don't forget to bring in the plants!

References

‍McKinsey: Organizational health: A fast track to performance improvement
Northstar: How to keep wellness top of mind at meetings
Forbes: The 5 languages of appreciation at work