The Importance Of Gathering In Person

For 9 years now, I’ve enjoyed hosting small gatherings for CEOs and owners of companies, providing opportunities for my network to connect and build relationships with one another.?

11 cities across 3 countries.

I just wrapped up the fall series of Curated Conversations and in the past, they have been centered around dinner, lunch or an experience.

This series on the other hand, was specifically centered around a theme and the conversation itself.

The feedback from these gatherings is the best I’ve received in 9 years of hosting. Here are 5 lessons I learned from them:

1. The Power Of Vulnerability:

Vulnerability is a profound and often underestimated force that shapes our human connections and personal growth. Embracing vulnerability means allowing ourselves to be open and authentic, even when it feels uncomfortable or scary.

When we let down our guard and reveal our true thoughts, feelings, and insecurities, we create the space for genuine and meaningful connections with others. Vulnerability fosters empathy, as it enables us to see the common threads of human experience in each other's stories and struggles.?

This was absolutely the case at each gathering I hosted over the past month. It is through vulnerability that we build trust. By showing our true selves, we invite others to do the same, and that in itself can be transformative.

2. Collective Wisdom:

Entrepreneurs constantly face new challenges. Sharing insights, successes, and failures within a small group can help everyone learn faster and more effectively.

When you gather a group of CEOs and business owners, you bring together a range of experiences and viewpoints. This diversity can lead to fresh ideas and innovative solutions that may not have emerged in isolation.

3. Relationship Development:

Networking is a vital part of business growth. Small group discussions create a more intimate setting for making connections and forming professional relationships that can lead to partnerships, collaborations, referrals, even friendships.

Quality people want to meet other quality people and when you do it in a way where you are genuinely there to ‘give’ rather than ‘get’, you’re creating multiple opportunities for long term relationships to form.

4. Inspiration & Motivation:?

In this series of Curated Conversations, the theme was ‘Overcoming Adversity’. Each guest had the opportunity to share a story of adversity from their life, what they learned and how they came out the other side stronger than before.

Entrepreneurship can be a solitary endeavor at times. Sharing stories with other CEOs and business owners who share your passion and drive can provide motivation and renewed energy to pursue your goals.

5. The Value Of Being In Person:?

While virtual is great for some aspects of our working lives, I’m very happy we’re back to meeting in person. At this point in time, virtual simply cannot replace being in an inspiring location with a group of quality people, engaging in deep conversation.

While each entrepreneur's journey is unique, there's a powerful force that can help with overcoming obstacles and building new opportunities: collaboration.

Getting together with a small group of like-minded CEOs and business owners to discuss a specific topic can be a game-changer, fostering innovation, shared learning, and a stronger sense of community,

Cameron.

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If you are a CEO or owner of a company with 10-200 staff and would like to be considered as a guest for the next series of Curated Conversations, comment below with the word 'gathering'.

Cameron Atlas helps companies maximize human potential through the delivery of experiential keynotes with live music on stage, coaching C-Suite executives and facilitating company retreats. To learn more, grab a copy of his latest Speaker Kit here.