What “magic” are you planning to create with your team in 2025?:Retreat 2025

A successful team retreat should offer more than just a break from the office routine. It's a chance to take stock of past successes, identify areas for growth, and align the team on a shared vision for the future. Here’s a guide to making your retreat both productive and engaging, with a focus on fostering human interaction, career development, and the support of team members’ passion projects.

Reflections and Goal-Setting: A Foundation for the Retreat

Start by reflecting on the previous year with two main focus points: what worked well and what could be improved. If specific goals were set, review the progress toward them, and if there were none, then focus on gathering honest feedback from the team on their experiences, challenges, and wins. This feedback is essential for setting the next year’s goals and creating a culture of growth and continuous improvement.

During a past retreat, a CEO shared how after laying out ambitious goals for the year, he received an unexpected resignation letter from a key player on the first of January. This story highlights the importance of not placing all your hopes on “rockstars”—those few standout employees who drive a lot of the team’s success—but instead building a resilient “Galactico” team, where the collective strength ensures stability. After all, continuity is crucial, and ensuring everyone feels part of the “magic” planned for the year ahead can help reinforce commitment.

So, what “magic” are you planning to create with your team in 2025? If your team understands the value and excitement of this vision, they may think twice before considering other offers, staying motivated to make this collective vision a reality.

Three Essential Topics for a Gen Z-Friendly Retreat

1. Prioritizing Human Interaction in a Digital Age

   As digital tools dominate, especially with the rise of AI and remote work, it’s crucial to bring the team together for meaningful, in-person experiences. Gen Z employees, while digital natives, also value authentic interactions where they can connect on a personal level. Organize workshops or interactive sessions that foster these connections and allow team members to engage in real conversations. From my experience this year, I’ve seen the impact of face-to-face engagement—it’s one thing to communicate online, but the impact deepens when people are given a platform to express themselves, share ideas, and connect directly with one another.

2. Fostering Continuous Career Development

   Understanding and supporting each team member's career goals creates an environment where they feel valued. A great way to encourage this is by knowing each individual’s goals and finding ways to support them. If, for instance, one of your team members is pursuing a certification in project management, consider providing time for them to teach some of what they’re learning to the team. This not only enriches the team’s skill set but also reinforces the value you place on their growth. When team members feel supported, their loyalty and engagement grow, and this mutual investment strengthens the organization.

3. Encouraging Passion Projects

   Team members with passion projects often bring more creativity and enthusiasm to their work. Studies show that employees who engage in personal passion projects outside of their primary responsibilities are more innovative and motivated. Passion projects also develop intrapreneurship—employees who think like entrepreneurs and drive innovation within your organization. Encourage these side projects, as they can lead to valuable workplace innovations (think of Google’s Gmail, which originated as a side project!). Checking in on these initiatives during the retreat can allow team members to share ideas and inspire others.

Setting the Stage for a Meaningful Year

Ending the retreat with a clear call to action and setting specific, measurable goals for 2025 can instill a shared sense of purpose. Emphasizing that everyone is a part of this “magic” and their unique contributions matter can drive engagement and commitment. The retreat isn’t just about setting goals—it’s about creating a supportive environment where team members feel valued, heard, and excited to be part of the future.

Let this retreat serve as a rallying point. Help your team feel they’re part of something bigger—an organization that sees their individual growth, values their contributions, and supports their dreams. Give them a reason to say yes to staying and contributing their best in the coming year