As November winds down, many teams are knee-deep in planning days, offsites, or wrapping up projects. And one thing becomes clear fast:
How we gather tells the truth about how we work.
Done well, gatherings create connection, alignment and momentum. Done badly? They waste time, drain energy, and become rituals of performative agreement.
This monthâs shift focuses on the quality of your gatherings - not just the frequency.
Because every gathering, from a team meeting to an offsite, is a culture signal. It tells people what matters, whatâs safe, and whatâs expected.
From âWe Meet Because We Always Doâ â âWe Meet on Purposeâ
Challenge your regular rhythms.
Ask: Why are we gathering? What do we want people to feel, know or do differently? Start there. The rest is logistics.
From Transactional â Meaningful
A meeting with an agenda isnât the same as one with intention.
Try this: Open your next gathering with a one-word check-in. It sounds simple, but it changes the energy - and often the direction.
From Crowd Control â Culture Shaping
Too many gatherings are designed for updates.
Use them to shape behaviour instead. What gets asked, discussed, and closed sets the tone for how people think and act.
What's Worth Your Time
Book: The Art of Gathering by Priya Parker
Still one of the best reads on purposeful group dynamics and designing meaningful moments.
Article: Eight Ways to End Meeting Misery - MIT Sloan
Use this expert advice to start down a more productive path.
Listen & Lead: Shift. Everday actions Leaders can take to shift culture
The same practical, grounded book, just now in your ears. If you've read Shift already, the audio might offer a new lens - a summer listen, or a chance to reconnect with the work and if you've been waiting for the audiobook, it's here!
Find it on iBooks, Spotify (included in Premium) and wherever you get your audiobooks.
Lock in 2025 pricing for 2026 learning delivery with our Leadership Coaching packages at $4,500+gst for 5 coaching sessions with experienced executive coaches. You can buy in 2025 and work out the details in 2026. Pay by Friday 12th December to secure this deal.
The Bottom Line
Gatherings donât need to be complicated. They just need to be real.
If your meetings feel off, your culture probably is too. Fix the gathering, and youâll shift more than you think.
Shift your meetings and you'll shift your culture.
Thanks for exploring Gatherings with us.
The People Game
PS We're looking forward to a summer break. Please note our office will be closed from Friday 12th December until Monday January 12th.
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