![]() a participant-driven conference), but with enough structure in place to achieve the goals of 1) clear-eyed retrospection, and 2) forward-thinking planning.įor those wanting to try out the Sailboat Exercise, the steps are as follows: In this way, it essentially becomes a tool for running a team retreat as an unconference (i.e. In fact, I’ve found it to be such a good exercise for divining the zeitgeist of the team - what’s been good/bad/indifferent and where should we head next? - that I use it to kick off the retreat, with its outcome driving the topics to be discussed during the rest of the event. ![]() they’re removed from the stresses of their normal day jobs, and able to come up for air to think more holistically. That said, I’ve found it particularly effective in such a setting because it’s a fun, low pressure exercise at a time when folks are in a mindset to candidly assess the state of things - i.e. As such, it can be used independently of team retreats. I’ve experimented with different approaches to running these retreats, but one exercise that has become essential is the “Sailboat Exercise”*: “The great sea makes one a great skeptic.” - Richard JefferiesĪt its core, the Sailboat Exercise is a brainstorming process for garnering honest feedback from employees about the state of the team / product / company. Even in Covid times – when the idea of getting together in-person seems quaint – taking time off from "normal work" to connect with your team in a less formal setting can still be quite valuable. When done well, they are a rejuvenating time for team members to reflect on the previous few months, to plan what’s coming next, and to just straight up have some fun together.Īs a manager, I’ve found these retreats essential in keeping a team aligned and empowered to take ownership of what they’re building together. ![]() I thoroughly enjoy planning and facilitating team retreats. An unconference approach to running productive team retreats ![]()
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