Tired Templates

How often do we use formats and templates, either our own or taken from "best practice" out of habit and convenience? 

The photograph at the header is one I have used several times. I like it because I was in the balloon following the one in the picture, as we talked about the problem of where to land as the cloud came in (Balloon options are pretty limited - you can go up or down in the direction the wind is taking you). It means something to me and is, I hope, evocative of flying blind, but what does it mean to you, more so if you've seen it before?

In her book The Art of Gathering, Priya Parker asks us some powerful questions about the gatherings we organise, including:

• What is the real purpose of the meeting, a reunion of whatever gathering it might be? Have we really thought about it?

• Is it unique or routine? Is it provocative or boring?

• Will it create the energy needed for genuine dialogue, or will people be surreptitiously checking their phones?

It is one of those books that is, for …