The Quakers are more correctly known as The Society of Friends, and was born in England in the 17th century.
When the Quakers conduct a business meeting, it is referred to as a “meeting for worship with attention to business,” and generally speaking there is no separation between broader life, and business.
There is a care, respect and mindfulness that is brought into matters of business, which of course will include conflict.
So the meetings start with a period of silence – perhaps 30 minutes, in which everyone pauses.
We know silence is powerful and can help change the energy in the room.
From there, the focus is to listen attentively, speak from experience, refrain from critiquing, but rather express views honestly and finally allow for silence before and after another speaker.
Of course, a slightly different approach to how most 9am meetings kick off, and, 30 minutes may be a little difficult to achieve today.
However, to humanise the room and space, and focus on relationship in our work seems sensical.
Was it effective? It seems so.
Joseph Wharton (the 5th child of 10 in a Quaker family) was an industrialist who founded the Wharton School, co-founded Bethlehem Steel company and was also a founder of Swarthmore College.
Cadbury chocolate, Barclay’s Banks, Greenpeace, Oxfam and Nike all apparently have Quaker origins*
*Full list here
