Posted by Jane Wang Funny story: Yesterday, we had an afternoon meeting with a leader in the innovation space of a large consulting firm, and without thinking much of it, I stood up to stretch my back in the middle of the chat as we continued to talk vivaciously about the innovation climate in Canada. After a couple of minutes, he asked: “Why did you stand up? Are you leaving?” and I realized that how the culture of “movement” have not been granted for much of the community.The way that we work is still new and somewhat shocking, even to the innovators.So I feel compelled to ask for permission to “stand up”… for better productivity and better health.

Being a mentor for the Lean StartUp Machine workshops has opened my eyes to how small things can have huge impacts on the success of a team.Since the whole point at LSM is to get the teams to 1) ask the right questions, 2) drill down to the essential and 3) get out of the building to find the answers (read more on LSM), managing time and cutting through the laid-back and non-actionable chatter is of the uttermost importance.

LSM – Standing Meetings

Our mentor team at LSM experimented with many things… and one of the most effective practices we found was removing the chairs. These No-Chair meetings cut down the time the team members debated, and energized them to all participate during the meeting! The teams reached the same conclusions in about 1/3 of the time and often get right into action following the meeting.The productivity argument aside, it is also a good change for people who sit for 6+ hours per day. That extra 15lbs and chronic lethargy are often side-effects of our sedentary careers. Often the back pain and swollen feet are symptoms of the culture of stillness that we are unconsciously infused in. As a woman, who loves wearing beautiful yet sometimes un-ergonomic footwear in professional settings, I enjoy rely on software, wearable tech and a healthy culture to help and give me permission to stand and move throughout the day.So rise up, and “stand up” for your right to be more productive and pain-free. Join the community by signing up here to start leading a healthier life and claiming rewards!iOS | Android