TN71 Seatings for meetings

First published on this website in December 2012 and last updated in November 2022

Synopsis

The choice of seating layout for a business meeting speaks loudly about issues to do with formality, relationships and authority. In these notes six possible layouts for a group of 18 people are presented and analysed. The application is assumed to be a church or mission council or committee of any kind.

1. Top table
2. Boardroom
3. Circle
4. Arcs
5. Living room
6. Buzz groups.

These are followed by seven general points to note.

• The layout needs to serve the group.
• The layout may be affected by the room size and shape.
• Other features include door, windows and clock positions.
• Watch where it is possible for people to hide.
• The layout needs to serve the purpose of the meeting.
• So more than one layout may be needed in any one gathering.
• The layout can have a significant impact on effectiveness.

One comment I had on these notes said, "I would like to see these principles applied to the layout of the worship space. There are theological issues as well as group dynamics."  Which is an interesting point.

These notes were updated in November 2022 with some layout amendments.