Reference #455: Organizational Culture and Leadership
"Talking to the campfire" is a form of dialogue derived from native cultures. Some cultures engage in dialogue by gathering around and talking to a campfire rather than to each other. The absence of eye contact facilitates the suspension of reactions or objections.
In addition to encouraging reflection, this process preserves the sense of the group being a whole. Comments are symbolically contributed to the centre of the group. Talking to the campfire also avoids the dialogue becoming a deep discussion between two members since comments are aimed at and addressed to the whole group, not individuals.
Schein. Organizational Culture and Leadership, 2017. (112-113)