The Art of Gathering.

‘None of us shows up as a blank slate to anything.’

This quote from author and strategic advisor Priya Parker’s book ‘The Art of Gathering’ speaks volumes. It perfectly reflects my experience of some recent gatherings i’ve felt extremely fortunate to be a part of.

The gatherings I refer to have been facilitated by hosts with no specific agenda, other than bringing together members of the creative, tech and entrepreneurial communities - and doing so in social environments where they can feel completely comfortable meeting, talking, catching-up and sharing.

These are gatherings, not ‘meetings’, not ‘events’, not ‘sessions’.

They have no pressure to perform, out-perform or sell. They have no requirement for speeches, presentations, or ‘networking’.

Because of this, they result in the perfect platform for the sharing of journeys, ideas, collaborations, discoveries, possibilities, projects and news. Because nothing is forced, everything flows freely. Because no-one is competing, everything is shared.

The real magic happens by simply bringing good people together, because no-one shows up as a blank slate to anything.

‘Gatherings crackle and flourish when real thought goes into them, when (often invisible) structure is baked into them, and when a host has the curiosity, willingness, and generosity of spirit to try.

Priya Parker.