Denver artist Diana Merkel shared this photo of her art installation at Burning Man 2024 with me. I love these pods because they are an ode to the stoop, talking circles, and our early origins of sitting around a fire. Communing over a flame dates back thousands of years and explains our connection to storytelling, social bonding, and relaxation.
The evolutionary roots that tie us to the ancient practice of gathering around a fire stem from our reliance on warmth, protection, and nourishment. Today, joining others around a fire still provides a sense of safety where we can lower our guard, relax, and recover from the stress of the day.
Storytelling and social connection also have a natural place around the fire; the hypnotic glow of flames conjures the sharing of stories and personal experiences, which helps people make meaning and sense of the world—a practice that is calming in and of itself. How might you apply these storytelling practices to your workplace? Consider these questions:
- Where are the most rich conversation spaces in your workplace?
- What do you notice about how people connect and converse in those spaces?
- What’s different about these locations that make them work for you and your colleagues?
- What roles can you play in creating more of these spaces virtually and in the office?
When Diana isn’t creating engaging, large-scale art like these pods, she’s a creative director, branding expert, and graphic designer. I’m grateful for the work she’s done on my website and Living Life on Purpose collateral.
(photo credits: Diana Merkel)
