The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
every gathering benefits or suffers from the expectations and spirit with which guests show up.
Priya Parker • The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
A strong closing has two phases, corresponding to two distinct needs among your guests: looking inward and turning outward. Looking inward is about taking a moment to understand, remember, acknowledge, and reflect on what just transpired—and to bond as a group one last time. Turning outward is about preparing to part from one another and retake you
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In everyday gatherings, it can be as simple as lighting a candle or making a welcome announcement or pouring every guest a special drink at the same time. But the final transition between the guests’ arrival and the opening is a threshold moment. Anticipation builds between the initial clap of thunder and the first drops of rain; hope and anxiety m
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Priming can be as simple as a slightly interesting invitation, as straightforward as asking your guests to do something instead of bring something.
Priya Parker • The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
When done well, openings and closings often mirror one another. Just as before your opening there should be a period of ushering, so with closings there is a need to prepare people for the end. This is not ushering so much as last call.
Priya Parker • The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
in grabbing them, it should both awe the guests and honor them. It must plant in them the paradoxical feeling of being totally welcomed and deeply grateful to be there.
Priya Parker • The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
“If you are on a picnic blanket, you will hang out around your picnic blanket. It’s not because there’s a fence around it; it’s because your picnic blanket is your mental construct. It’s not about sitting on a blanket versus sitting on the grass; it’s about claiming that mental space and making it yours and comfortable and safe.”
Priya Parker • The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters
In gatherings, once your guests have chosen to come into your kingdom, they want to be governed—gently, respectfully, and well. When you fail to govern, you may be elevating how you want them to perceive you over how you want the gathering to go for them. Often, chill is you caring about you masquerading as you caring about them.