Walk & Talk: The Meeting on the Move
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Physical Activity€0 · freeunder 30 min

Walk & Talk: The Meeting on the Move

Movement built into the work process: Walk-and-talk meetings are a condition-based BGM building block – healthier and, for many types of conversation, even more effective.

Why walking sets thinking in motion Many people think more freely and associatively while walking than while sitting at a table. Not looking directly at the other person removes pressure from difficult topics and opens up space for new ideas. For open, creative questions that don't require a screen, Walk & Talk is therefore often the better format – more honest and more solution-oriented.

What it's suited for – and what it isn't One-on-one conversations, feedback, brainstorming, and initially sorting out a problem are ideal. As soon as documents, presentations, or more than three people come into play, the format hits its limits. This clarity helps: Walk & Talk doesn't replace every meeting, just one specific, frequent type – the short, confidential two-person conversation.

How it becomes second nature It doesn't need rules, just an initial "Let's discuss this while walking." A fixed, safe route nearby lowers the barrier. When a manager leads by example, it quickly becomes a normal option in the toolkit – free, healthy, and a welcome change of pace from the desk for staff.

How to put it in place

  1. 1
    Introduce the rule: 1:1 meetings become walking meetings
  2. 2
    Set a route (15-20 minute loop)
  3. 3
    Announce it at the next team meeting
  4. 4
    Lead by example yourself
  5. 5
    Collect feedback after 2 weeks

What you need

Effort
under 30 min
Cost
Free
Setup
10 min
  • Free
  • +81% creativity (Stanford)
  • Immediately actionable
  • More relaxed conversations

Eligible for funding: up to €600 tax-free

As part of a structured workplace health process, this measure is tax-free under § 3 no. 34 of the German Income Tax Act (EStG) up to €600 per employee per year — BGF-Kompass supplies the process. Certified offers (e.g. from Upfit) are additionally subsidised by statutory health insurers under § 20b SGB V.

Health-insurer funding & tax: how to apply →

Adopt it for your company

Register for free — and the measure is ready to go in your cockpit: invitation, feedback survey and appointment are already set up. First cycle, first numbers for the boss.

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Contributes to

Expand movement offerings

Measure the impact with

GPAQ – Bewegungsverhalten (WHO)

A fitting occasion

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Not sure where to start? 5-minute self-check →

BGF-Kompass covers German workplace health promotion (BGF): funding paths, figures and legal references (e.g. § 20b SGB V, § 3 No. 34 EStG, the statutory-health-insurer prevention guidelines) apply to Germany.