09-16-2025: Why a $15,000 team retreat failed miserably

 

TAKE #1 -- THE CONFLICT: No matter what, the team couldn’t collaborate. Deadlines missed. Tense, unproductive meetings. Personal friction and unaddressed grievances everywhere. Naturally, the retreat failed too.

 

TAKE #2 -- THE CAUSE: The retreat was mistakenly used as a shortcut to avoid doing the harder, fundamental work beforehand, like fixing . . .

 

• Flawed organizational systems: Unclear roles, conflicting priorities, poor communication channels, etc.

• Broken interpersonal relationships: Feuds, lack of trust, personality clashes, gossiping, etc. 

 

TAKE #3: -- THE CURE: Always diagnose and treat the fundamentals before attempting any team-building activities.

 

• Organizational systems: Clarify roles, responsibilities, and goals to address systemic conflict.

• Interpersonal relationships: Facilitate honest conversations between combatants. Use professional mediation to resolve deeply rooted, personal conflicts and create positive working relationships.

 

KEEP IN MIND: A retreat is the icing, not the cake. The critical work of fixing systems and mending relationships comes first. Otherwise, it’s like hiring a DJ for a party where nobody’s dancing. Wasted time and money.

 

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​​​​Let's pick up the pieces together.

 

L. Therese White 

Employment Mediator 

Workplace Conflict Resolution Coach

ThereseWhite.com

 

 

P.S. Tired of playing defense? Let's design an offensive, preemptive plan together. Free strategy session: Call 323-291-4813 or email me at Therese@ThereseWhite.com.

P.P.S. Get my ebook, "From Meltdown To Resolution: A Veteran Mediator’s Phrases For Repairing
Emotion-Driven, Impossible Conflicts At Work.”  It's FREE. Click Here to download.

 

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