What evidence does Stanford University's research provide about the effectiveness of walking meetings?

The book 'The Surprising Science of Meetings' presents several innovative ideas to make meetings more productive. One such idea is the concept of 'walking meetings'. These meetings can help break barriers and improve communication. They also make multitasking difficult, which results in increased focus. Research from Stanford University shows that 80% of participants were more creative while walking than when seated, and they were at their creative best when walking outdoors. These meetings are ideal for small gatherings of up to four attendees and work best when the agenda does not require technological tools or supporting material.

A company might face several obstacles when implementing walking meetings. These could include resistance from employees who are used to traditional meetings, logistical issues such as weather conditions for outdoor meetings, and the challenge of not having technological tools or supporting material readily available. To overcome these, the company could gradually introduce the concept of walking meetings, provide alternatives for adverse weather conditions like indoor walking paths, and encourage the use of portable technology or focus on discussions that don't require extensive materials.