When scheduling a group meeting, how do you choose the room? Usually you choose it based on capacity.

Large groups in large rooms. Small groups in small rooms.

What about the shape of the room?

Most conference rooms are long and narrow, with long and narrow tables. This is horrible for collaborative meetings. The shape of the room and furniture indicates the person at the head of the table will be talking and everyone else will be listening. It also implies you don’t expect people at opposites ends of the table to communicate much or collaborate together.

Modular furniture configured to give people access to each other, round tables, and square tables all communicate that you want people to work together.

As Churchill said “We shape our buildings; thereafter they shape us.”

The shape of your room will shape your meeting.