Top-notch meetings are a staple and vital aspect of good leadership. From time to time, a special type of meeting may be needed to address important matters that don’t lend themselves to the course of daily events. These meetings are often called retreats, from the definition that means “to withdraw to a private place.” A retreat can be as brief as half a day, as long as several days, or anywhere in between. The preferred venue is somewhere other than the work site – a comfortable, pleasant environment that is conducive to fresh thinking and constructive dialogue. With excellent planning, good meeting facilitation, and willing participants, remarkable advances can come from retreating.

Food for Thought ~

The content of a retreat can be focused on whatever aspect of the organization needs special consideration. Often it is some type of planning, an essential leadership function that may be overshadowed by the press of more urgent matters. The beauty of a retreat is the opportunity to customize the agenda to address what’s important and meaningful. It is an excellent method for affirming company values, as well as knitting together teams and building relationships.

Question of the day ~

Are there critical issues in your company that would merit some dedicated time and attention?

Top-notch meetings are a staple and vital aspect of good leadership. From time to time, a special type of meeting may be needed to address important matters that don’t lend themselves to the course of daily events. These meetings are often called retreats, from the definition that means “to withdraw to a private place.” A retreat can be as brief as half a day, as long as several days, or anywhere in between. The preferred venue is somewhere other than the work site – a comfortable, pleasant environment that is conducive to fresh thinking and constructive dialogue. With excellent planning, good meeting facilitation, and willing participants, remarkable advances can come from retreating.

Food for Thought ~

The content of a retreat can be focused on whatever aspect of the organization needs special consideration. Often it is some type of planning, an essential leadership function that may be overshadowed by the press of more urgent matters. The beauty of a retreat is the opportunity to customize the agenda to address what’s important and meaningful. It is an excellent method for affirming company values, as well as knitting together teams and building relationships.

Question of the day ~

Are there critical issues in your company that would merit some dedicated time and attention?

World affairs present many opportunities to reflect on the subject of peace. In addition to the larger issues of world peace, I have been thinking about how this applies to the role of leaders. The dictionary offers several definitions of the word peace, and the one that most applies to the workplace is “freedom from quarrels; harmony; concord.” Organizations need a state of equilibrium in order to sustain a high level of performance. There needs to be enough basic trust and good will for people to feel safe and respected. Higher levels of trust provide even better conditions for innovation and achievement. There also needs to be room for disagreements, differences, and openness to new ideas. Conflicting views and interests need to be balanced. Avoiding conflict may result in a lack of accountability or an intolerance for differing viewpoints. Not enough attention to peace may result in undisciplined self-expression, disrespectful behaviors, and unhealthy group dynamics. Neither extreme is good for people or good for business.

Food for Thought ~

I often think of organizations as small villages or communities. Just as in our larger communities, we need leaders to model that optimal balance of working with others amicably, yet openly, building trust through honesty and integrity, and appropriately addressing and resolving conflict. Good leaders have a sixth sense about maintaining harmony in their organizations.

Question of the day ~

What are the best ways to achieve and preserve your company’s optimal state of equilibrium?

September always means “back to school” to me. Even though most of us are no longer full-time students, I like thinking about the excitement and joy of learning. Leadership is the art of management, and as with all the arts, there is no absolute point of complete mastery. There are many excellent books and classes on leadership that are well worth studying; and the primary classroom is the never-ending school of experience. Changing circumstances bring a continuing stream of new issues and opportunities. Hopefully we will grow in wisdom and judgement, acquire new knowledge and skills, and continue to challenge ourselves to learn.

Food for Thought ~

Henry Ford is reported to have said, “Keep learning and you will never grow old.” Brain researchers have discovered that any kind of learning, on any subject, has a beneficial effect on our cognitive functioning. So whether for the joy of learning, or the self-defense of maintaining our capacities, let us choose to always be learning something new.

Question of the day ~

What would you like to learn? What would you like to learn to further your professional abilities; and what would you like to learn just for the fun of it?