6 Good Reasons to Have a Leadership Off-Site

6 Good Reasons to Have a Leadership Off-Site

Lately, we have been asked to facilitate various leadership off-sites, all with vastly different goals and dynamics. After decades of facilitating these, we've created a one-pager to help guide your thinking so that yours will be strategic, thoughtfully planned, and meaningful. We want to move away from the off-site being a one-off event to a way to deepen connections as a team, learn from each other, make commitments, and get good work done.

Reason #1: Create Alignment and Build Feedback-Rich Cultures

With so much on people’s plates, leaders often find themselves caught up in day-to-day tasks, leaving little room for reflection. Regular off-sites strengthen a team's ability to flex by creating an honest feedback culture that moves through tension and frustration leading to a more satisfying work experience.

Reason #2: Awareness of Self, the Other, the System

Often teams forget that they work with others and within a system. Time set aside to connect with each other as humans, while checking in on alignment, opens up opportunities for collaboration and enterprise thinking, and disrupts usual ways of doing things.

Reason #3: Defining Team Dynamics

Off-sites are an investment of time and resources, so they better be impactful. Asking the team what they want is always our first step in creating an engaging and meaningful experience. Delving into team wants and addressing challenges helps define whether the group functions as a team or as a working group.

Reason #4: Fast Tracking Team Development

Organizational changes, such as reorganizations, job cuts, or periods of extreme growth, often result in the formation of a "new" team. Off-sites are a tool used to integrate, clarify roles, and road map the larger organizational framework.

Reason #5: Deepen Relationships

Collaboration is at the heart of any high-powered team, trust is the guts. Spending time together strengthens bonds and a real life lived experience as a cohesive unit rather than individualistic, siloed efforts. Through shared experiences, the team develops a deeper understanding of each other, fostering trust and belonging.

Reason #6: Creating a Space for Diverse and Differing Thoughts

Diversity of thought is a must. Teams need dedicated space to work through diverse perspectives, moving away from the binary notion of right and wrong. By creating an environment where diverse thoughts are not only welcomed but actively sought, teams can tap into a wealth of ideas and insights. This inclusivity fosters creativity and adaptability, positioning the organization for sustained success in an ever-changing business landscape.

There you have it!

The gestaltworks Team: Debra Brosan, MA OD, MCC Mark Magerman Jessica Regetta, MS ODL, PCC