Sounds odd coming from a retreat venue, right? Why would we ever tell someone to stop considering booking with us?
Because we care about outcomes. We want you to know that the lasting impact of your retreat was intentional and planned for, not happenstance. At its core, a retreat is designed to create long-term value for your team. But when approached without clear purpose and planning, it can become just another expense with little return. Let’s talk about a few common misconceptions:
Retreats Are Not Meant to Be:
1. A Free-for-All Vacation
While rest is important, a retreat without purpose is just a getaway. Yes, your team should have time to recharge, but if there’s no structure or clear objectives, you’re simply funding a company trip—not investing in growth. On top of that, many times your employees find a better reward for their time to be spent with family, so unless there's real change taking place, they may view it as a waste of time.
2. A Place to Discover and Isolate Non-Team Players
A retreat is about strengthening team dynamics, not singling out individuals who aren't fitting in as well to the team dynamic. True growth happens through inclusion, where each team member feels valued and part of the bigger picture.
3. A Short-Term Morale Booster
Sure, a retreat can leave your team feeling refreshed, but real impact lasts beyond the event itself. If there’s no strategy for applying what’s learned back at work, the enthusiasm fades fast.
How to Ensure a Retreat Creates Lasting Change
For a retreat to truly benefit your team, participants must:
✅ Respect the behavioral boundaries set in place
✅ Engage in meaningful goal-setting before the retreat
✅ Feel that their contributions matter and connect to something bigger
As Sheila Campbell and Merianne Liteman highlight in Retreats That Work (2003), intentional planning is key to ensuring a retreat delivers real, lasting results—not just a temporary boost.
The Bottom Line
A retreat done right is a game-changer. But it requires thought, strategy, and a commitment to follow through after the event ends. If you’re ready to create a retreat experience that drives real transformation for your team, let’s make it happen.
Interested in learning more? Let’s talk about what a purposeful retreat could look like for your company. Schedule a free consultation through our inquiry form here