Sometimes the most powerful coaching moments happen on walking trails. Last Saturday I took my doodles (Dolce and Coda) to Fort Funston in San Francisco for a long hike. It’s a magical place for dogs and their humans. Last weekend was no different, with the smell of kelp and salt in the air and the morning fog lifting reveal to golden sandstone cliffs, coastal grasses, and the Pacific Ocean below.
Shortly into our walk, I ran into an executive coaching client and her dog. We walked and talked while our dogs chased one another through the sand dunes, with frequent stops to dig in the sand and say hello to their friends. I tried to keep the conversation social, but we invariably fell into our established pattern of talking about her ongoing challenges at work and home and how to navigate them.
Even though it was a familiar topic, there was something very different about our conversation that morning. I connected dots I hadn’t before and shared my reflections on what I was hearing and thinking. In turn, she generated new ideas for how to address a problem at work that to this point had felt insurmountable. It felt like a breakthrough – one that came naturally and sparked new possibilities.
Before I knew it, an hour had passed, and we looped back to our starting point. The dogs lined up for their farewell treats and we headed on our way.
I have thought a lot about our walk that day and how being amidst scenic beauty is not just good for one’s physical health but is a catalyst for ideas and creates a unique space where both minds and dialogue flourish. I also marveled at how walking together (versus staring at one another on a screen) enhanced the depth and flow of our conversation and social connection.
We’ve decided to swap out one of our scheduled zoom calls each month for a walk and talk at Fort Funston. The dogs are elated.
I highly encourage you to trade a screen meeting for a walk and talk. It requires more time and effort but the dividends, in ideas, energy, and human connection, are worth every step.
