Let’s Stop Calling It a ‘Retreat’ If It’s Just Work Somewhere Else
At many companies, the word “retreat” has become a branding exercise and glossy label for something far less restorative.
You know the version: three packed days of whiteboard sessions, quarterly goal alignment, breakout discussions on KPIs, and a few hurried happy hours thrown in as a “consolation prize.'“ The schedule starts at 8:00 a.m. sharp and the setting is a generic conference room named after a tree. By the time your team returns home, they're more depleted than when they left.
Let’s call this what it is: an offsite. A working session. A strategy sprint. All perfectly valid. But not a retreat.
A true retreat is a deliberate pause. It invites reflection, restoration, and reconnection not just with company goals, but with one another. In an era when burnout is high, turnover is expensive, and workplace culture is under a microscope, this distinction matters.
If you’re going to ask your team to step away from their lives for several days, the experience should be worthy of their time.
Here’s how to start planning one that is:
1. Be Honest About the Format
Retreats and offsites are not the same thing. One prioritizes depth, space, and human connection; the other, structure and strategic output. Both have value, but clarity matters. When you call something a retreat and deliver a jam packed business conference, your team feels misled and leaves exhausted.
2. Define the Purpose, Then Build the Budget
Before any dollar is spent, decide what you want this time away to accomplish. Is it rest? Realignment? Celebration? Culture-building? Then assign the dollars accordingly. A clear intention anchors the experience and prevents your budget from getting swallowed by things that don’t actually accomplish your goals.
3. Choose a Destination That Does More Than Host You
The best locations offer more than just square footage. Choose a space that makes people feel good—somewhere with fresh air, good food, and fun things to do nearby. A cool Airbnb or bougie hotel can make a big difference in supporting team bonding.
4. Ditch the Default Happy Hour
Not everyone wants to bond over drinks. In fact, many don’t. We’re seeing a shift from alcohol-centric agendas to wellness-forward, community-based experiences. Think locally led classes, curated dinners, improv, trail hikes, or even group volunteering. Let your culture show up in more creative ways.
5. Design With Choice in Mind
Your team is not a monolith. Their energy levels, social bandwidth, and personal preferences vary. Great retreat design allows for autonomy. Mix solo time with group activities. Offer optional excursions. Leave space on the calendar. Flexibility signals trust—and leads to far more meaningful participation.
6. Create One Moment That Matters
Plan one ultra special moment that brings everyone together. A fireside talk with leadership, a service project, a locally led cooking class. Something memorable. One of my clients recently organized the most insane company wide Simon Says and I have never seen people laugh that hard in my life. It doesn't have to be expensive. It just has to be human.
A well-designed retreat is not a luxury. It’s a strategic investment—in retention, trust, and a workplace culture people want to be part of. If you're planning one, plan like it matters. Because to your team? It absolutely does.
