Embracing the Power of In-Person Strategic Planning: Lessons from Our Team Retreat

As we stand at the threshold of a new year, it’s with great enthusiasm and a heart brimming with insights that I recount our recent strategic planning retreat at Choice. This retreat was more than just a planning session; it was an immersion into collaboration, growth, and the pursuit of a shared vision. Here are my invaluable takeaways that resonate so deeply as we step boldly (and dare I say, more connected) into 2024.

The Power of Physical Presence:

• There’s an inexplicable magic in physically being present, sharing meals, and engaging in genuine, unscripted conversations. While virtual platforms have become our comfort zone, there’s an unparalleled community built when we’re gathered around a table, exchanging ideas, and discovering breakthrough moments collectively. Laughter, camaraderie, and the opportunity to know each other beyond our professional days foster a bond that transcends mere work priorities and to dos. This connection, I firmly believe, propels us further. Picture this: us gathered around a table, laughing, sharing home-cooked meals, and having those lightbulb moments. There’s something powerful about being physically present, you know? That chemistry and camaraderie? That’s the secret sauce moving us toward what we want to accomplish in 2024.

The Role of an Organizational Psychologist:

• Enter Krysia, our organizational psychologist extraordinaire. She’s all about nurturing a work environment that’s healthy, fun, and collaborative—my exact hope for Choice. Bringing in an impartial expert allowed us to navigate team dynamics with unbiased clarity. It’s like having a cheat code for team harmony! Krysia’s expertise facilitated an evaluation that not only pinpointed areas for improvement but also fostered a deeper sense of trust and transparency among us. Yes, please. 

Why Planning is the Real MVP:

Ever tried hitting a target blindfolded? That’s what happens without a plan. Our retreat was our oasis away from the daily grind. It gave us the space to dream together, assign roles, and sketch out a roadmap forward. Clarity? Check. Focus? Double check.

Key Tips for Strategic Planning:

• Lock in that Time: Guard the retreat dates like they’re the last piece of chocolate. Make sure everyone’s on board and fully committed without distractions. 

• Define Intentions: Clarify the primary outcome you seek from the retreat – know what you want on the other side of it. Let this intention drive your agenda. It’s like having a compass guiding you.

• Mix Work and Play: Embrace the magic that occurs in casual interactions. Yep, it’s not all serious business. Blend structured discussions with moments of social bonding. That’s where the real magic happens.

Golden Nuggets We’re Carrying Forward:

• Prune for Growth: Trimming the excess is essential for the future harvest.

• The Human Connection: Connect personally. There’s power in a home cooked meal and literally serving your team. 

• Keep it Simple, Silly: Keep goals and strategies straightforward; complexity often clouds clarity. Less complexity, more clarity. That’s our winning formula.

As we walk into 2024 armed with these newfound gems, let’s hold onto that spirit of togetherness, understanding, and laser-focused drive. Our retreat was our guiding star, and it’s pointing us toward a horizon bursting with potential.

So, here’s an open invitation: let’s embrace the thrill of strategic planning together. Let’s paint our futures, create connections, and build legacies that’ll have everyone buzzing.

By Heather Adams