Walking 30 MinutesCS 377T – Stewart MacGregor-Dennis

Chosen Pattern:Functional talking and walkingMany immensely productive

individuals use the pattern of walking and functional talking.

Examples of these people include the late Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg.

Part of my goal was to drill down on why walking is seen as conducive to productive discussion of certain forms.

Interviewee One:Entrepreneur at Facebook Profile

This interviewee is a two time entrepreneur who’s company was recently acquired.

I met him at an eDorm event where he was a guest and took the opportunity to interview him.

Observations He walks fairly often. He uses walking for specific types of discussion,

such as getting on the same page for product vision. Sometimes multiple walks are needed with

someone. He chooses who to walk with based on opportunities.

Insights He found that walking was a more productivity way to have

certain types of discussion, which meant that he would see it as a rational decision, rather than something he had to do. The insight here is that finding a way to make walking the “most”

productive way to do an activity may make you more likely to do it.

The social component of walking was important for him. Sometimes it’s key to get buy-in and share a joint vision for a

particular area. Here, the social component of talking with someone helps foster

co-creation of the vision.

Walking creates informality Often business meetings can constrain productive.

Walking not the best for everything He did not use walking for discussing areas requiring huge

attention to detail. Instead, it focused on bonding to a conceptually shared vision.

Interviewee Two:Stanford Junior/DesignerProfile

Stanford Junior who is undeclared, but probably studying Mechanical Engineering or Computer Science.

Great designer.

Observations Walks to discuss the design vision with someone,

or to generate new inspiration. Finds he can be more creative while walking

sometimes. Often walks with people he is working on a project

with.

Insights Walking may help with certain types of thinking.

Stepping away from what you’ve already written down can give you a clean slate perspective. Therefore, sometimes its useful to view your previous work

or thinking, and sometimes it can be helpful to step back.

Again, he found that he was most productive on particular tasks through walking, and so he would walk more often.

He learned this pattern from other designers he had worked with, so the social sharing component may be important.

Showing people where walking may be the most productive or creative way, could be a powerful technique.

Interviewee Three:Recent Stanford AlumnusProfile

Recent Stanford Alum who studied Physics Now travelling a lot.

Observations Would use walking as a way to catch up with

friends. Seen as more enjoyable Would often roam in walking, rather than going to

a particular place.

Insights The form of the walking can mirror the type of

thinking that is required: e.g. roaming walking may lead to roaming and creative discussion, and directed walking may lead to more goal-driven discussion.

Walking can be seen as a powerful social activity.

The looser structure can be more conducive to conversations that have a more emergent rather than rigorous structure.

Use meetings with friends and social reinforcement for walking.

Scheduling a meeting with a friend is something you may be less likely to miss.