Continuing on from my previous blog on Equality, in this series on the Thinking Environment, I share my thoughts and experiences on the component of Place in this one.
Definition
From Nancy’s explanation: Producing a physical environment – the room, the listener, your body – that says, ‘You matter’.
When our bodies are cared for and respected, our thinking improves. People think at their best when they notice that the place reflects their value to the people there and to the event. And because the first place of thinking is the body, it needs to be in a condition that says to us as thinkers, ‘You matter’. In these ways, Place is a silent form of appreciation.
What does this definition mean to me?
I think in some ways the component of Place is quite strong for me because of my profession. That said, Nancy’s definition highlighted some newer aspects for me.
I’ve been training and facilitating for nearly two decades in the corporate sector. One thing that became clear to me quite early on, is the importance of physical comfort for the participants. As a facilitator, beyond the logistics of whiteboards and stationary, I had to pay attention to things like the air and light in the room, the temperature, having water and some healthy food available, taking enough and timely breaks so that participants had sustained energy to learn, contribute and engage through an often intense day.
As an individual, I’ve always appreciated the impact of beauty and colour in the physical space where gatherings take place. I’m a big believer that if the space is serene and beautiful, it automatically evokes a sense of calm for people and they feel welcome and invited. If it’s bright and quirky, it’s likely to evoke energy and humour.
This image represents a sense of wonder and stillness, that the physical surroundings can enliven in a person, just by them inhabiting that place.
I’ve also noticed that the physical structure of the space can determine the dynamics of the group at a subconscious level. In workshops I’ve either attended or facilitated - I’ve seen people be physically stiff, competitive and guarded while sitting behind tables in a conference room set up; and I’ve seen the same people show up as relaxed beings, filled with humour or sensitivity in a circular set up. In fact I’ve found that if I put people in a circle in chairs, with no barrier like a table in between - the intimacy is almost palpable within minutes! Whereas if I just put tables in between for convenience, so people can write comfortably or keep their stuff - there is a subtle shift - the connection dilutes and attention gets scattered. I find that so mind boggling! The power that every physical element in the room has to shift the experience of the day!
I’ve also seen, unfortunately, that this aspect of participant experience is often neglected or under-attended to. Coming across Nancy’s definition of Place, not only validates my own experiences but also strengthens my conviction that the physical surroundings are more powerful than they seem.
Nancy’s idea of “body as a place” was entirely new to me though. I did pay attention to things that impact the body - but seeing the body as a Place where the thinking happens, and thus something that deserves sacred attention was another perspective shifting idea for me. I began relating this to my experience in facilitating a Women’s Circle at Thoughtworks Inc.
It started as a circle of 10 women. I had recently completed certifying as a practitioner of Therapeutic Arts and I wanted to apply that learning towards trying to build a strong community of women. The Place component was really alive for me in this work. One of my aims was to help the women feel valued - so I intentionally set up the space in a way that was inviting and hopefully calming. Subconsciously I was applying Nancy’s definition of Place here even though I would come across Thinking Environment much later.
The space was as non-corporate as it gets, but I was willing to take the risk. I remember the first time all the women walked into the space. There were audible gasps of surprise followed by squeals of delight! As each woman took her place, we began with a body scan - and I still remember how many women had these beautiful tears flowing across their cheeks! Most of them had not paused to pay attention to what was happening in their bodies and getting in touch with them felt both terrifying and liberating at the same time. As we moved into the art work and reflection for the day, the group was so completely vulnerable and open that the organisers and I were both stunned and deeply moved.
The organisers and I had accepted the possibility that my design and approach was so out there, that it was quite likely that the women wouldn’t return for the second session. But we were completely wrong! Month after month, the group came back. We went strong for more than three years and kept going through the pandemic as well!
The women have all expressed numerous times that they felt so completely themselves in the circles and so intimately connected with one another, that they would prioritise this over everything else to be there. Honouring the body’s needs, being in a space that allowed them to truly relax and having norms where we promised not to interrupt or rescue anyone; all contributed to this outcome. I had included several components in my design without knowing about the components then - Equality (we went in rounds), Attention (listening without interruption or advice), Appreciation, Ease, Place. It resulted in such a powerful space that this group of women have created a timeless bond, unencumbered by the expectations of everyday relating. They have felt seen, heard and respected in such a profound way, that it's become a resource that lives inside of them now.
I share this story in the component of Place, because even though other components were present, I think “Place” was the most significant difference from other spaces here.
After learning about the Thinking environment and the role of “Place” in it, I began designing many other spaces using what I had learnt in my experience with women’s circle. Keeping the “body is a place” principle in mind, I’ve begun to be courageous in having senior executives do a body check in at the beginning of a reflection, doing “slow down” exercises with varied groups irrespective of the meeting agenda, using artistic seating for serious change strategy meetings and so on. And even though I’m met with some uncomfortable laughs and skeptic glances at the beginning, it nearly always ends with people finding the experience powerful. Knowing that the Place matters profoundly, gives me this courage.
In virtual meetings and workshops, even though I can’t design the physical environment of participants, I fall back on “body as a place” and it shifts the energy profoundly. More attention, more ease follow almost invariably.
Over the previous year, as I have deepened my Mindfulness practice and qualified as a Minfulness based Mentor, I continue to discover how precious and crucial the body’s role in our intellectual & emotional well being, and unforutnately how disembodied we are as a culture. So the Place component holds even more significance for me now.
Paradox: Attending to the space with sacredness, helps the thinker transcend it
altogether.
In the following blog, I will share my experiences with the component of Feelings.
Credit: Illustration by Chitra