Where the Path Created Room for What Meetings Miss
Lynne Laba and I planned to meet for coffee near O’Hare. Instead, we walked 4.2 miles along the Des Plaines River Walk.
It started with a few drops of rain. We both looked at the sky and decided to go anyway.
Lynne and I work together at Paragon PCC. I serve on the Board and she leads as U.S. Director. Over the last few years we’ve spent time talking about growth, team development, and how leadership continues to evolve inside the organization. Most of our conversations together are naturally structured around the work itself. The walk created room to talk about parts of the work that don’t usually surface in scheduled meetings.
We talked about how isolating customer situations can feel when you’re carrying them on your own. It’s easy to assume you’re seeing the full picture already. A second perspective usually shows something you couldn’t see before.
We also talked about positivity. Being a “half-full” person doesn’t create results on its own. But during periods of change, positive energy helps teams keep moving while direction is still forming.
Sharing family experiences created common ground. There’s real comfort in realizing someone you respect is working through similar questions at the same time.
At one point we stepped off the path and into the woods to find a place for a photo. Climbing over stumps and branches wasn’t part of the plan. It turned out to be exactly right for the day.
Not every important leadership conversation belongs in a conference room.
What conversation could you take on a walk this week?
