As Americans, we glorify a culture of busy in both our personal and professional lives. To show our dedication at work, we stay longer hours and eat lunch at our desks. Although research tells us that working too much is incredibly inefficient, and that we are far more productive taking regular breaks, many continue to operate this way. And for good reason. Many bosses continue to praise and reward staff for putting in extra hours, regardless of how effective (or rather ineffective) those extra hours are. As it turns out, that effectiveness might now even matter. A famous study by Professor Erin Reid found that supervisors could not distinguish the output of staff who worked 80 hours per week and those who simply pretended to.
Thankfully, more and more research is confirming what most of us already know- to function at our best, we need to be rested and ready. This requires regular breaks; space to work without interruptions; enough sleep; time to think and process; healthy balance and boundaries; and no more open floor plans! Further, for staff to stick around, they need work that is both valuable and valued, and they need opportunities to grow. Further amplified by a healthy job market, staff are far less tolerant of poor working conditions than some managers would prefer. Workers, especially of the younger generations, are quick to walk away from workplaces that do not meet their needs. (Good for them!) And the good news for you as their leader is that it’s really easy to meet those needs. It just doesn’t happen naturally. You must pay attention to the research and best practices and intentionally apply them.
Staff need to know that what they do matters and that they matter to you. As their leader, this is your primary role and responsibility. It is up to you to create an authentic, meaningful work experience for your team. Hire well. Train and develop them accordingly. Recognize their good work. Let them know how their work contributes to organizational goals. Be honest with them. Listen to them. Invest in them. Care about them. Support them. Value them. Inspire them.
This leadership style requires a dedication of time and energy to teambuilding and development. This is something you should be doing all year long for everyone on your team and for your team. You should have a plan that is targeted, diversified and goal oriented. This should include professional growth opportunities that are salient for and informed by your team members: workshops, trainings, webinars, readings, conferences, mentors, coaches, courses, programs, projects, book groups, professional associations, podcasts, panels, seminars, lectures…the possibilities are as ample as they are exciting.
One of the most important components of this team development plan is a team retreat. Team retreats are one of the most powerful and effective ways to strengthen and focus your team members. Here’s why they should be a central part of your leadership plan and strategy:
TEAM RETREATS BRING YOUR TEAM TOGETHER
In order to work together effectively, teams need to know, respect and understand one another. Human beings are complex and different, and learning how to work together effectively is extremely challenging and time-consuming. It is worth the investment. Team retreats create an intentional space where team members can see one another in a new light and learn more about each other. Consistent efforts like these will build team understanding and camaraderie which will naturally lead to working together more effectively. It won’t happen immediately, but it also won’t happen unintentionally. Creating other opportunities to get to know one another in addition to retreats will enhance these teambuilding opportunities and will deepen your work together.
TEAM RETREATS DEMONSTRATE YOUR INVESTMENT IN YOUR TEAM
Constant reiteration of how little time and money there is to do something like a retreat sends a powerful and harmful message to your team that they are not a priority to you and your organization. When you demonstrate that you are not willing to invest in your team, your team will be quick to show you that they are not willing to invest in you. If, on the other hand, you show with your time, money and attention that investments, like retreats, are valuable to the work you do, your team will return that investment. This creates an ongoing cycle of appreciation and investment, you in your team and your team back in you.
TEAM RETREATS CREATE SPACE FOR IMPORTANT WORK
In most cases, day-to-day work offers little natural opportunity for entire teams to work together and focus on team goals in a purposeful and uninterrupted way. Team members work on their own individual tasks while occasionally connecting and collaborating with other team members. Team retreats, on the other hand, provide intentional, focused space for teams to work together on goals that pertain to everyone. It allows time to work through challenges and find agreed-upon solutions. It gives permission to think, brainstorm, discuss, disagree, strategize, strive and grow. It is in important and powerful moment of how work can and should be.
TEAM RETREATS REFOCUS AND RE-ENERGIZE YOUR STAFF
Ideally, team retreats take place outside of the office in a space that is comfortable and appealing. Hopefully there is good food, lots of laughs and a feeling that this is a break from the mundane. This physical separation often provides a much-needed re-energization for your team who is too often overworked and in danger of burnt out. Retreats are a refresh and a reminder of why you do the work you do and why you do it where you do it. There are lots of jobs to choose from. Remind your team why their choice to work with you was a good one.
TEAM RETREATS ARE EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE
Team retreats produce several important positive outcomes for a little amount of investment. Yes, a half day or full day or even multiple days away from the day-to-day can feel like an enormous investment, but it is important to remember that it is but one moment in the grand scheme of things. Design your retreat to focus on and achieve what your team needs. Invest in a professional facilitator, who knows what they’re doing and who will allow you to become a more present part of the day. Work with your facilitator to plan a day that is intentional and productive. Be bold and broach topics and situations that need broaching. Take time to appreciate your team. Harness the collective wisdom and gifts you have helped cultivate and take your team to the next level. Use the time effectively to get the most out of it. Appreciate that investing in an effective retreat will allow for work that would not be possible otherwise.
Yes, time and money are tight and at times can feel prohibitive. In most cases, this is only a feeling and not a reality. As a leader, it is part of your role to advocate for and provide what your team needs to grow into their best selves. A retreat is a great way to help get you there. Commit to investing in a retreat this year (and each year thereafter) as part of a bigger plan to develop your team. It will undoubtedly require time, intention and money from you, but when done effectively, it is a small investment that will yield great results for you. When you’re ready to commit, we are ready to help.
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