September 2015 |
Nicole Neroulias Gupte, Communications Manager | Our staff retreat last month at Islandwood on Bainbridge Island required only a carry-on bag, but mentally, I'm still unpacking it all. At other places I've worked — mainly newspapers and small nonprofits — conventional wisdom was that we had neither the time, budget nor need for an annual retreat. Now that I've finally experienced one, I'm wholeheartedly convinced that getting out of the office and out of our comfort zones, even for just a day and a half once a year, gives us the renewed energy and refreshed perspective we need to move forward individually and as a team. To inspire other organizations to design or rethink your staff retreats, here are some notes.