Time Together Isn’t Magic... It’s a Medium

“Let’s get in a room for 8 hours.”

That sentence has haunted every calendar I’ve ever touched.

We treat presence like it’s a shortcut to alignment. But time together isn’t magic... it’s a medium. And the outcome depends entirely on how we use it.

The Best Offsites I’ve Seen

• A clear purpose that everyone understands.

• A thoughtful flow that balances energy, focus, and creativity.

• Space to breathe - time to reflect and decide what’s next before rushing to the next topic.

The Worst?

• An agenda built for show, not substance.

• 42 sticky notes… and not a single decision made.

• A 100-slide deck on Q2 metrics that could have been an email.

Why This Matters for People-First Leadership

Gathering in person, whether it’s an offsite, a retreat, or a working session, is an investment. Not just in time and budget, but in your team’s energy and trust. If the day feels performative or leaves people more drained than inspired, you’ve missed the point.

The most effective leaders approach these moments as a chance to connect, clarify, and commit - not just to check a “team-building” box.

One Question to Start With

If you’re bringing your team together soon, start here:

What do we want people to leave with - emotionally, mentally, and directionally?

Let the answer guide the agenda.The rest will follow.