Not All Meetings Take Place in an Office

I had an important meeting this morning that ran for three hours. We accomplished a ton and walked away with a ton of SMART commitments. You might be wondering what kind of conference room or office space inspired such a productive, uninterrupted flow? It wasn’t around a table at all; it was the Virginia Capital Trail, which spans the distance between Richmond and Williamsburg. For 50 miles, my business partner and I hashed out opportunities and challenges for our new marketing startup, Flywheel. If we were stuck in an office, we both agreed we’d never stomach a three-hour session like that.

Henry Clifford (right) and Graham Copeland on a Bike Trail — The author (right) and Graham Copeland, co-founder of Flywheel.

Some of my best ideas, problem-solving, and creative thinking have come from non-traditional meeting environments. For years, I hesitated to share this because I feared I might sound disconnected. But the more people I talk to, the more I hear similar stories; turns out I’m not alone.

Also by Henry Clifford: Are You Giving Off “I Don’t Have Time For You” Energy?

Here are a few non-traditional meeting formats that can help unlock creativity and push your thinking further. It’s been shown that people in a flow state are up to 5x more productive than those in a non-flow. What do I mean by flow? It’s a mental mode in which a person is fully immersed in an activity with energized focus, full involvement, and deep enjoyment. Time seems to slow down or disappear, distractions fade, and performance peaks. It’s often described as being “in the zone.” So why not rethink your approach to meetings? Here are a few to consider:

Bike Ride: Cycling with someone else is a phenomenal way to hold a meeting. You’re outside, in motion, taking in beautiful scenery, and your heart rate is usually low enough to sustain conversation. The length of the ride creates room for deep discussion, and the rhythm of riding can help you reach breakthroughs more naturally.
Run: Running isn’t for everyone, but for those who enjoy it, it can be a shortcut to flow state. The cardiovascular demand and endorphin release can kickstart creativity. It’s not as conversational as cycling, but if both participants are in sync and conditioned, running can yield deep conversations and big ideas. That said, if running sounds like torture, skip this one. No shame.
Gym: Weightlifting with a partner fosters accountability and builds rapport. Over time, you form a rhythm with someone, and the conversations between sets can span personal, professional, and philosophical terrain. The post-workout cooldown, whether stretching, steaming, or sauna can offer an extended opportunity to connect and reflect.
Walk It Out: This might be the most accessible format of all. At Livewire, there’s a quarter-mile loop around the office, and I often take walks with team members to talk through issues. I’ve even rated the complexity of problems by how many laps it takes to resolve them (1 is easy and 4 is usually someone in crisis). Walking changes your breathing and posture, helping ideas flow more easily. Steve Jobs was known for taking his conversations mobile, and I’ve found it to be incredibly effective.

Maybe one of these is for you, maybe none. But I do know this: Not all meetings take place in an office. Some of my most impactful professional conversations have taken place on the road, in the woods, or on the trail. I wouldn’t trade those moments for anything.