After every session we deliver, we assess the content from the workshop—what went well, what can be improved, how did this resonate with the audience? This type of iteration is especially critical for programs that we repeat on an annual basis, like the 2-day retreat that kicks off the 10-month leadership program through the Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber—WE Lead.
Immediately following our delivery of the 2019 retreat, we conducted a survey to gain feedback and assessed what participants loved about the content and what was getting stale. We had prepared the 2020 program outline while the previous year’s retreat was still fresh in our minds. We felt like we were really in a groove with the program to deliver on our objectives.
Perhaps you see where this is going…?
WE Lead Class 15 started during the pandemic. So rather than a two-day overnight, the team at the Cincinnati Chamber made adjustments to keep Gild Collective facilitators and participants safe while still finding a way to gather together in an outdoor space for the important work that kicks off the program. The class was able to make connections and begin benchmarking where they were currently in their career and develop objectives for where they want to go throughout the program.
Because of the adjusted schedule, we’re thrilled that we will be able to come back at the end of the program to revisit each participants strategy map and see how objectives have grown, evolved and been achieved over the course of the 10-month program.
We know COVID-19 has thrown the best laid plans into a state of unknown, but we’re grateful that our ongoing partnership with WE Lead could continue through the pandemic and we know that learning from this unique format will only make future programs even stronger.
***Updated June 9, 2021***
With the changes brought about by COVID for the WE Lead Class 15 opening retreat, we had the opportunity to reunite with the class at the end of their program journey to serve as a bookend to the experience. As a group, we were able to revisit strategy maps—seeing what was accomplished and what had been adjusted or reprioritized, which was a critical step to take in a year when so much was out of our control and unexpected. This allowed us to do even more purposeful planning for beyond the program with not only the how and why in mind, but also an activity focused on anticipating and developing solutions for challenges and barriers that were sure to pop up for participants moving forward.
This format was so successful that we’ve decided to continue the opening and closing retreat approach with the WE Lead coordinating team for Class 16 in the 2021-2022 year!