As 2024 approaches, the question isn't whether you should hold a leadership offsite—it's how to make it transformative. Offsites are more than just extended meetings; they are pivotal inflection points that can define the trajectory of your organization for the entire year ahead. So we want to share a few thoughts with you on how to use offsites to build a stronger, more aligned, and more effective leadership team
Why do offsites matter so much?
In a world where distributed teams and remote work have become ever more common, the importance of good offsites has never been higher. The vast majority of companies we work with rightly spend 90% or more of their time building products, selling them, and servicing customers, even if they all work in the same office. That leaves precious little time for the critical art of “company building,” the very thing that will likely determine if you win or lose in the long run. Here are four company-building activities that must be done purposefully, especially for remote teams.
Aligning on Strategy
The year ahead will be fraught with both challenges and opportunities. There's no substitute for face-to-face dialogue to navigate this complex landscape. In-person discussions foster a nuanced understanding that video calls often lack, enabling the team to align on a cohesive strategy and commit to shared objectives. When executives are in the same room, the energy is palpable, and the strategic vision becomes a shared commitment rather than a set of abstract objectives. Strong strategic alignment leads to faster decisions, less second-guessing, and a better understanding of resource allocations.
Assessing your organizational effectiveness
An offsite isn’t just about looking forward; it’s also an opportunity to look back and analyze past performance through a retrospective or organizational diagnostic. Evaluating 2023's performance as a unified team offers critical insights. Each leader brings a unique perspective, and when those perspectives merge, they form a panoramic view of the company's strengths and weaknesses. Such a comprehensive understanding is often the first step in pivoting from good to great.
Building Trust and Camaraderie
While sometimes considered the softer side of offsites, building trust and camaraderie is invaluable at high-performing organizations. A well-designed offsite allows executives to break bread, share casual conversations, and engage in team-building activities. This fosters a level of trust and understanding that is almost impossible to achieve in the hustle and bustle of daily operations. Our organizational diagnostics show a clear correlation between high trust scores and valuable cultural traits like innovation, risk-taking, and collaboration.
Reconnecting with your purpose
The day-to-day grind of building successful companies can sometimes feel oppressive even to the most motivated leaders. Offsites are an opportunity to take a breath of fresh air and remind each other why you are there in the first place. Whether it’s changing the world or simply improving some aspect of life for your customers, every company needs a shared, unifying purpose that gives motivation and meaning to the day-to-day work.
If you are planning an offsite for your team, here are seven tips on making your offsite transformative. Or please reach out if you'd like some specific advice!