RECHARGE through retreats

Case Studies

The following examples illustrate a range of client projects conducted by members of the New Directions Collaborative relating to leadership retreats. (Note: In some cases, the work was conducted through the organization they were affiliated with at the time):

A Leadership Retreat for Women Working for a Sustainable Future

In November 2010, New Directions Collaborative hosted a two-day retreat for women working in the sustainability field at the Pinetree Farm retreat center in Eliot, Maine. The format included a mix of strategic conversations about working for change, sharing of stories of successes and challenges, and exploration of personal sustainability and how to avoid burnout. The structured time was mixed with time to informally network with other women working in various aspects of sustainability. Highlights of the retreat reported by participants included: the balance of engagement and time to reflect, the caliber of the women, finding a circle of support, connections with a diverse group of women with similar values, and strategic frameworks and concrete examples they could apply in their work. 100% of the participants said they would recommend this retreat to others. These testimonials provide a flavor of the experience:

The retreat provided a wonderful opportunity to think more deeply about my own work in sustainability and to meet other women working in this realm.  Beth was an excellent facilitator, the setting was lovely and the food was delicious!

Sally Edwards, Sc.D,Research Associate
Lowell Center for Sustainable Production

Conversations_11_10_retreatIt's been a while since I renewed and challenged myself in this way, and it was well worth the investment.  What a treat to break bread with diverse and inspirational women, discussing new frameworks for our collective progress towards a more sustainable world.  Beth was incredibly thoughtful in every detail of the retreat - from nourishing and delicious food, to the peaceful setting, to a relaxed schedule that allowed for conversation and insight. I am ready for the next leg of my journey.

Yusi Wang Turell, Launch Lead

Center for Social Enterprise & Community Finance

The Carsey Institute, University of New Hampshire

As a current MBA student in sustainability, it was really helpful for me to see people working in the sustainability field and bring my theoretical background to the conversation. As I move into my career, I appreciate spending time with other women working towards common goals.

Sarah Sullivan, MBA in Organizational and Environmental Sustainability
Antioch University New England

Using Live Theater to Create an Unforgettable Company-Wide Ethics Workshop

An off-site meeting of the top 120 leaders of a New York-based financial firm began with the CEO saying "This could be the most important meeting you will ever attend at this company." Next, a group of actors began performing live examples of typical workplace situations where employees were behaving poorly. After a while, the employees in the audience could stop the action for discussion or ask the actors to model a different behavior. The exercise led to a lively conversation about what the firm's values mean in practice. The theatrical elements provided vivid examples of the new behaviors and attitudes the leaders needed to encourage throughout the organization. Several participants remarked afterward how accurately the scenes depicted what happens in their actual business life day-to-day.

A leader these days needs to be a host – one who convenes people – who convenes diversity, who convenes all viewpoints in creative processes where our intelligence can come forth.

- Margaret Wheatley