3 Steps to Creating a Strategic Offsite

When you get together to focus on things other than the day-to-day, you create an opportunity for making updates to HOW you work. Here is how to build transformational offsite programming:

Step 1, before the offsite

Learn what is top of mind for folks (this could be the challenges associated with an ongoing project, reviewing what worked during a client engagement, general items you don't often discuss but need attention, etc.)

Create an agenda with sessions focused on the topics that matter to your team

Get agreement on the agenda

Step 2, during the offsite

Create a comfortable and safe space for folks to discuss agenda items

Remind people why you are there - to effectively address topics that matter to the team

Work through each topic for about 1 to 2 hours, holding space for discussion, exploration, and action planning next steps

Hold a final session to discuss how each topic fits into the larger whole of the team and integrate action plans to reduce overlap and develop a broader "go forward" plan

Step 3, after the offsite

Implement actions determined during the offsite

Keep track of how things are going between offsites

Leverage offsite practices to keep the conversation going

Have folks keep all of the above in mind when considering topics for the next offsite

Repeat steps 1 through 3.

Through practice, offsites can become your vehicle for change.