Attending the Arts Impact Ohio Conference in Toledo was an enriching experience, and one of the standout moments was seeing Priya Parker in action. With her comedic and casual delivery, Priya managed to distill complex cultural nuances into simple, relatable terms that resonated with everyone in the audience. Her method of teaching the Art of Gathering was truly inspirational.

Priya began by addressing a common sentiment: “Whether you lead a team of your own, were voluntold to lead the next work retreat, or can’t stand the idea of another lackluster board meeting, you’re in good company. And I’m here to help you figure this whole gathering thing out.” This immediately set a relaxed and welcoming tone, making the concept of gathering not only approachable but exciting.

Her mission, as she explained, is to equip us with the inspiration, courage, and know-how to create transformative gatherings for ourselves and our communities. She emphasized the importance of creating a productive and supportive environment for teams to come together, highlighting that “an artful gatherer is someone who is able to create meaning and connection with and for their people, one gathering at a time.”

Priya shared practical advice, encouraging us to start by observing our existing gatherings. She posed insightful questions to guide our observations:

• What’s the focus of this gathering?
• Who’s in this group?
• What do you look forward to in this group, if anything?
• What could be improved?
• What do you need from this group?
• What does someone else need that they might not be getting?

By answering these questions, we can better understand the dynamics of our gatherings and identify areas for improvement.

Priya’s newsletter, which promises to slide into our inboxes monthly, is filled with real-world insights and inspiration from artful gatherers around the world. It’s designed to help us gather meaningfully with our people, whether at work, at home, or in the public square. She shared that she would occasionally provide updates on her new projects and resources, helping us delve deeper into our gathering practice.

One of the key takeaways from her talk was the idea that “anyone can be an artful gatherer. You can be an introvert or an extrovert. You don’t need a fancy house, a specific job title, or a certain kind of living room. You don’t need to be a certain age or look a certain way. Artful Gathering is a learnable set of skills to practice.”

Inspired by Priya’s insights, I plan on using her methods in my future meetings. Her approach not only promises to make gatherings more meaningful and engaging but also fosters a sense of connection and community. As Priya said, “Your first skill to practice as an artful gatherer is to simply observe.” I’m excited to start this practice and see how it transforms the way we come together.

Thank you to The Ohio Arts Council and all the partners of Arts Impact for inviting Priya to teach. Her session at the Conference was a reminder of the power of thoughtful, intentional gathering. Her teachings will undoubtedly have a lasting impact on how we approach our interactions, helping us to create environments where everyone feels valued and connected.