A retreat is a meeting designed and organized to facilitate the ability of a group to step back from day-to-day activities for a period of concentrated discussion, dialogue, and strategic thinking about their organization’s future or specific issues. Organizations will reap full benefits if they follow basic rules.

1. The views expressed in this presentation are the views of the author/s and do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of the Asian
Development Bank, or its Board of Governors, or the governments they represent. ADB does not guarantee the accuracy of the data included
in this presentation and accepts no responsibility for any consequence of their use. The countries listed in this presentation do not imply any
view on ADB's part as to sovereignty or independent status or necessarily conform to ADB's terminology.
Retreats That Work
Olivier Serrat
2015

2. When Not to Hold a Retreat
A retreat is a meeting designed and organized to facilitate the
ability of a group to step back from day-to-day activities for a
period of concentrated discussion, dialogue, and strategic
thinking about their organization's future or specific issues.
Retreats will not
help if the
organizer has no
intention (or
ability) to follow
through or act on
the suggestions of
participants or if
the intention is to:
Fulfill a covert agenda.
Make an individual's problem the group's
problem.
Talk at participants instead of with them.
Improve morale.
Treat the retreat as a reward.

3. When to Hold a Retreat
At best, a retreat is a time for renewal, team building, and
focused work.
The most
common
uses of
retreats are
to:
Foster a collective vision.
Help set or change strategic direction.
Create a common framework and point of reference.
Develop annual goals, objectives, and budgets.
Discuss specific issues or challenges.
Deal with sources of conflict and confusion.
Generate creative solutions for entrenched problems.
Improve working relationships and increase trust.
Encourage honest and enlightened conversations.
Let people be heard on issues that are important to
them.Orient new personnel.

4. Tips for Effective Retreats
Start at the end
Get away
Suspend the rules
Work as a Team
Discuss the "undiscussable"
Keep it real
Do not play games (just have fun)
Mix it up
Think big
Think small
Just do it
Get professional help

5. Checklist for a Retreat
Purpose
• What is the purpose of the retreat?
• What criteria will we use to determine that
the retreat was successful?
• Who supports the idea of holding a retreat?
• Who is opposed to the idea?
• Who needs to attend the retreat?
• Who will participate?
• Will all the key participants be able to attend?
• How much time will they be willing to spend
at the retreat?

6. Checklist for a Retreat
Location
• Where will the retreat be held?
• Are the rules governing the use of the space
acceptable?
• Can the room be arranged as we want it?
• Are the chairs comfortable?
• Is there good control over lighting and air
conditioning?
• Can we have food, snacks, and refreshments
in the room?
• Who will provide food, snacks, and
refreshments?
• Can we hang flip chart paper on the walls?
• How will breaks and meals be handled?
• Will overnight accommodation be needed?

7. Checklist for a Retreat
Equipment
• What equipment will be needed?
• Who will provide it?
• Who will operate it?
Facilitator
• Do we need an outside facilitator?
• Who will facilitate?
• How much experience does the facilitator
have with groups like ours?
Recording
& Reporting
• Do we want to record the meeting?
• What kind of a retreat report do we need?

8. Further Reading
• Serrat, Olivier. 2008. Conducting Successful Retreats. Manila:
Asian Development Bank.
www.adb.org/publications/conducting-successful-retreats
• ——. 2009. Conducting Effective Presentations. Manila: Asian
Development Bank. www.adb.org/publications/conducting-
effective-presentations
• ——. 2009. Conducting Effective Meetings. Manila: Asian
Development Bank. www.adb.org/publications/conducting-
effective-meetings

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