Several weeks ago I had the honor of leading a group of mature and self-aware women in a week long retreat in the French Pyrenees. Most of these women didn’t know each other but had committed a sizable sum of money, effort and time to be there. My job as facilitator was something I took seriously. This wasn’t like an afternoon tea.
I spent months locating the perfect spot somewhere in the world, large enough to accommodate 8 women with bathrooms and close to nature, shopping, events we might want to enjoy and with relative ease getting there. After I found a fabulous chateau for rent, I then had to locate a chef in that remote area willing to cook for us (with all our unique eating choices). There were so many elements to making this retreat smooth, flawless and enjoyable.
But these were only basic logistic challenges. The more important elements to a successful and rewarding program like this one also apply to the workplace, be it the office or the entire company facility. There were three, simple but elegant, things that made everyone feel open enough to create a viable, working relationship quickly: safety, acceptance and preparation.
Safety means you don’t speak poorly of others, you don’t snicker or laugh at a faux pas or misunderstanding, you set an example of being an open, kind, mature and understanding leader. This sets the tone for everyone to express their authentic selves~ including the challenges they may be reluctant to share, they know they won’t be made fun of, diminished or shut down.
Acceptance means that before you say NO, don’t do that, oops, better not do that, don’t touch that, no, I’ll do that, or no, that isn’t right or acceptable, you adjust your response to, of course, why not? Let’s try it, you go ahead, naturally, super, great job, heck yeah! It means that whatever a person shares or chooses not to share, you accept that. If it is happening, it was meant to happen on some level. No right or wrong!
Preparation means you have taken the time to think of each person involved, if it means purchasing something they would like to eat or drink that may be hard to find. It means thinking ahead of meals, of when people arrive, of transportation maps, of options for what people could do during their free hours. Looking ahead at trails that are doable and ones that are not, thinking of each person’s preferences, times of getting up and going to bed, how best to accommodate the entire group without leaving anyone out.
All of these are ways to say you care about the individual and the group and it creates such a beautiful, synchronous event where life begins to unfold perfectly without fears or restraints. This is how you allow for magic to happen!! Open to the idea that with these simple ideas you can contribute to a more harmonious work environment that could not help but become more efficient as well.