12 Tips for Leaders Planning Staff Retreats

Guest Blogger: Melissa Laughon, Catch Your Limit Consulting

JUST WHEN YOU DON’T THINK YOU HAVE THE TIME TO RETREAT IS WHEN YOU NEED TO RETREAT THE MOST.

If you’re thinking about taking the time for a retreat with your team, below are a few tips to make sure you get a boatload of ROI for the time you invest:

  1. List all of your desired outcomes, then prioritize and assess how much time you need
  2. Plan your agenda and don’t try to do too much.  Give yourself some breathing room – you’ll be surprised what comes out of the down time. Allow some time for personal reflection, team time and organizational strategy.
  3. Gather as much information in advance to make the most efficient use of your time.  Pre-retreat work is encouraged to get everyone’s minds on the subjects at hand. In some cases research and/or assessments may be in order.
  4. Establish what the follow up process will be as step to ensuring commitment & accountability.
  5. Assign all participants a role in the retreat.
  6. Go offsite and create a comfortable, safe, creative environment.
  7. Always start with celebrations/accomplishments/bright spots.
  8. Be sure to have all the materials that you need to work and capture all the ideas that you generate and decisions that you make.
  9. Establish ground rules and be sure that everyone is engaged and participative.  Remember to have a policy for mobile phones, laptops, etc.
  10. Try to have a meal together.
  11. End the retreat by asking everyone what their take-a-ways were.
  12. Work hard. Play Hard. These are tough times – we could all use joy and laughter – it’s incredibly therapeutic.

><((“> Melissa Laughon

Melissa is an Owner and Sr. Consultant at Catch Your Limit, a management consulting firm with offices in Tallahassee, Florida and Richmond, Virginia. To learn more, visitwww.catchyourlimit.com.

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