As the days grow shorter, do you feel a natural pull inward – a call to gather with purpose? With the approach of winter, we are cloaked in the gathering of darkness. To gather is an ancient act. We gather around fires to share stories, around tables to share meals, and around each other to connect, reflect, and renew. There’s magic in the simple invitation, “gather around,” an age-old phrase that unites and beckons us into a space where we may listen, see, and truly be seen.
The power of gathering in community
For change leaders and team coaches, gathering is both an art and a responsibility. It’s more than a meeting of people; it’s an intentional act, a sacred circle that gathers not only participants but their voices, perspectives, and energies. As Priya Parker suggests in The Art of Gathering, every gathering should have a purpose – a north star that guides its creation, atmosphere, and flow. Winter, with its solstice and ancient celebrations, can remind us of this power, inviting us to reimagine gathering as a ritual of connection and introspection.
What are we gathering, if not just people?
We gather energy, inspiration, insights, and intentions. We gather the voices – every voice – and listen deeply to the collective, honouring the diversity of thoughts and experiences each participant brings.
In the space of a gathering, especially one shaped with purpose, new ideas emerge, old perspectives are renewed, and the bonds that sustain teams are fortified.
A space for reflection
In this season, we may find ourselves gathering in darker, quieter spaces, spaces that allow for reflection and pause. Just as the darkness outside deepens, a gathering can be a place of introspective stillness, where we drop into the wisdom that lies beneath the surface. Gathering in reflective practice for team coaches, for instance, creates an environment where insights arise organically, where what is shared feeds both the individual and the collective, offering a wellspring of renewed purpose.
The space we choose for gathering is not incidental; it’s a vessel for the energy we wish to create and the outcomes we wish to inspire. Whether around a fire or within a circle, gathering spaces are sacred. Setting the right environment is key to crafting spaces where trust and openness can flourish. Spaces that embrace the coming of darkness can ground us, making room for the stillness that encourages new beginnings.
What are you gathering around you?
In moments of darkness, we may gather the energy of our ancestors, calling in their strength, their resilience, their stories. We gather our own resources, our wisdom, and our courage. We gather to reconnect to our shared humanity, drawing inspiration from one another as the embers of the fire sustain us in the long night.
So, as winter solstice draws near, ask yourself:
What gathering will you be part of, or perhaps lead?
How will you invite others into the warmth of connection, reflection, and shared purpose?
Gather your people. Gather the voices. Gather around the energy of the season, cloaked in its quiet power. Embrace the stillness and watch as it nurtures new life, ideas, and bonds that will carry you and your teams through to the light.
Kerry Woodcock PhD, PCC, ORSCC, ACTC, EIA-SP, ITCA, ESIA, develops core, collective and change leadership capacity in leaders, teams and organizations, coaching pioneers and influencers to amplify the power of relationship and lead over the edge of change.
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