We all have heard this statement before – your presence is a present.  Never has that been more true than during this time of Covid.

Last week I facilitated my first in-person retreat since March 12th.

And it was amazing.

Yes, it was socially distanced and fully masked.

Yes, it was almost outside in an unheated barn with lots of ventilation.

Yes, I could see how grateful the participants were just to be present in each other’s presence.

AND…so was I.

I didn’t know what to expect.  Twenty leaders in a barn on a Tuesday in October.  The topic, Energy Leadership with an EDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow & Excite.™

The team had not seen each other in person for months.  Their last full day retreat was almost a year prior.  Their leader wanted the retreat to be in person and many on the team had expressed a desire to find a way to re-connect. 

They all wanted to spend time away from all the “doing” to get back to their “being.” Being together, being connected, and being thoughtful about their leadership. They all wanted to share what they have learned and discuss what they need to do to show up for each other, their teams and grow their own energy during this challenging time. 

They wanted to connect deeply with each other so they can share best practices, help each other, and yes even hold each other accountable for commitments that they have made in the past and new ones they made that day in the barn. They wanted to have some fun.

And they wanted to do it in person.

And as a facilitator whose core defining word is: energy – I wanted to be with them in person too.

There were of course differences to this retreat. The barn setting - so cool and different. Strict spacing and assigned tables. With masks on I couldn’t see their faces but eventually as we all got comfortable, I saw their eyes shining, their full participation in the exercises I had designed for them, and most importantly, their laughter came through loud and clear through those masks.

I watched as the energy of everyone in the room (barn)  grew exponentially.

I get it, virtual events are the baseline these days and we are lucky to have them at all. But if it’s possible to be in person safely consider how it can be done. Here are some questions to ask before you do it:

1. Ask your team what they would prefer and how to do it– what are their personal safety requirements and risk tolerance levels and how can you meet all their needs?

2. Consider length of time together and the space itself: outdoors BETTER; big indoors POSSIBLE?

3. How can you make the time together truly special - not just another meeting that would be “zoom fine,” but instead consider how you can elevate it to something truly “in-person worthy?”

Outlaw Leaders know, especially now, that being present is a gift that needs to be given with an EDGE: Explore, Dream, Grow & Excite™

I’m an Outlaw Leader? Are you?