Walking Meetings
Swap the conference room for a footpath. Walking meetings can make conversations more candid, thinking sharper, and your day a little less sedentary — here's when they work and how to run one well.
What is a walking meeting?
A walking meeting is exactly what it sounds like: a meeting held while walking, instead of sitting around a table or staring at a screen. They work best for one-on-ones and small-group conversations — typically two to three people — where there's no need for slides, screens, or detailed note-taking.
The benefits
- More movement in days otherwise spent sitting, with the health benefits that brings.
- More candid conversation — walking side by side, without eye-contact pressure, often loosens people up.
- Sharper thinking — many people find that light exercise helps ideas flow, which suits brainstorming and problem-solving.
- A natural time limit — you can only walk so far, which keeps things from dragging.
- A screen break that resets focus for the rest of the day.
When a walking meeting works (and when it doesn't)
They're great for 1:1s, catch-ups, mentoring, and loose brainstorming. They're a poor fit when you need to share a screen or document, take detailed notes, include more than about three people, or cover sensitive material in a public space. Weather, accessibility, and remote participants are practical limits too — never make them mandatory.
Format aside, it's still a meeting. See what your recurring 1:1s and team meetings cost across the year.
Open the Meeting Cost Calculator →How to run a good one
- Keep it small — two or three people maximum.
- Pick a simple, safe route you both know, so navigation isn't a distraction.
- Share any agenda beforehand, since you won't be looking at a screen.
- Use a phone to capture action items at the end, or send a short written recap.
- Offer it as an option, not an obligation — respect accessibility and preferences.
For more ways to make meetings better, see our meeting optimization guide and one-on-one meetings guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
A meeting held while walking instead of sitting. It works best for one-on-ones and small groups of two to three people, where you don't need screens, slides, or detailed note-taking.
More daily movement, more candid conversation, sharper thinking for brainstorming, a natural time limit, and a refreshing break from screens. Many people find walking side by side makes difficult conversations easier.
Avoid them when you need to share a screen or document, take detailed notes, include more than about three people, or discuss sensitive information in public. Weather and accessibility are practical limits too — keep them optional.