Retreat? Advance!

Posted by: ashleytan on: February 20, 2012

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by Marion Doss

Today I attend another retreat. While most think nothing of the term retreat, I question its meaning and purpose (earlier reflections [1] [2]).

To retreat means to withdraw and perhaps consolidate. In a non-war context, the purpose of a retreat is to take a few steps back in order to move forward. Most groups do this by leaving the workplace and having discussions or team-building activities.

But I think that most of the time, the only person who really gets anything out of a retreat is the leader. The folks who attend a retreat might get some time off from the normal rigours of work, but it is the leader or manager who gets something down on paper. Things tend to look good on paper.

I think there is little most retreats offer that cannot already be done in everyday work or more regular meetings if 1) this is expected of the staff, and 2) time and space are provided for ownership and reflection of the tasks.

This is not a critique of the retreat I am attending today but of the practice of having them. Are we attending retreats simply because we are expected to? What real impacts do the retreats have? Can we not achieve the same or better ends without retreats?

Ultimately it is about moving forward with progressive practices by questioning current ones. It is not about mirroring corporate practice or maintaining the status quo.

Tags: retreat