Final week we spent three days in Palm Springs on our EHD “spring” crew retreat, which was an enormous previous success and admittedly method totally different than most “regular” firm’s offsites. Like, once we inform individuals who have a extra typical workplace tradition what we did, there tends to be a variety of “wait, what?” and maybe some raised eyebrows. I wouldn’t say there are excessive HR violations, however actually some dangers. My purpose with these crew retreats is 3-fold: macro firm planning, IRL connection, and good old school enjoyable. All of us really feel extremely fortunate to love one another a lot (in reality, Marlee and Gretch flew down early to hold with Jess and Mallory the weekend earlier than, which completely warmed my den-mother coronary heart). So right here’s a peek into what we did and why.
First off, please notice that I didn’t power my crew to put on EHD merch (not that I wouldn’t do this). It was truly Mal’s Christmas current to all of us that she ordered on Etsy. They’re legit so cute!!!!
We rented a hilariously “fashionable” home in Palm Springs that was seemingly designed for Instagram selfies (we’re close to Coachella in spite of everything). We often attempt to keep someplace actually design-forward and galvanizing (like The Carly or our home in Mexico). Nevertheless it was onerous to discover a home with 5 bedrooms (at the least) and a correct hangout zone (pool/sauna/bbq) and felt appropriately enjoyable. Palm Springs is nice as a result of Portland has direct flights to PS, and it’s straightforward for the LA crew to drive out (plus us PNW folks want the solar!!).
Kaitlin and I arrived Tuesday night time, and we have been greeted with burgers on the grill and a brilliant chill night time in earlier than our massive planning day. Caitlin drove out that day from LA, and after the yr she has had, we have been all so pleased to see her smiling face in particular person. That lady is nothing in need of a warrior. After just a few reunion hugs and drinks, I at all times make myself go to mattress early and do a exercise the subsequent morning since “I’m in cost” (as I wish to jokingly repeat, to not wield my energy however to actually remind myself that I’m the one who is meant to be the chief, right here). Simply because I’m the oldest, most skilled, and my title is on the door doesn’t imply I at all times know what I’m doing right here or wish to be the boss. I’ll really feel 27 for the remainder of my life, people.
Day 1: The Planning Session
Our agenda for this journey was 1. The brand new web site design, 2. Our social technique (and workflow), 3. Bigger new partnerships, 4. Weblog brainstorm and planning. In addition to a number of couch line speak and catching up on the trivia. Now we have crew calls 3-4 hours per week, and I meet with the Portland folks constantly, however in particular person is simply a lot extra inspiring, and we will actually dig into issues that begin to really feel exhausting to do on Zoom. As a reminder, enjoying the function of Emily Henderson (aka the one that’s “in cost”), Gretchen is my #2 on all issues artistic design and manufacturing (my journey or die), Jess is our editorial director and oversees product strains (celebrating 10 years this yr!), Caitlin handles partnerships and income, and Marlee and Mal personal all issues social (effectively, besides YouTubes, which Gretchen is concerned in). Since nearly all the things we do entails all the above, everyone knows each a part of the enterprise.
It’s been a full yr of getting two improbable full-time folks on social media (together with our new e-newsletter – join right here!). Marlee began in Portland final January and has been an unbelievable addition to seize my each transfer up right here, and Mal, nonetheless in CA, focuses on what may be completed from afar (there may be a lot work). She has decreased to 4 days per week to deal with her burgeoning influencer profession (comply with her right here!). So, determining workflow and who does what, when, is essential, and since we don’t have somebody in command of operations (that’s me!), everyone seems to be a part of that dialog. I depend on them to inform me how they assume it will work greatest for each them and the corporate (an HR hack that I feel everybody appreciates). In order that they put collectively an unbelievable presentation about our targets, technique, and execution, with all our “highs” and “learnings” together with all the brand new stuff they’re excited to strive. I needed to cry, I used to be so impressed, however as a substitute simply mentioned out loud, “Thanks a lot – I really feel so protected!!” Perhaps one thing solely a small enterprise proprietor must really feel (fallacious, everybody does). However man, understanding and trusting that different persons are up to the mark is the very best feeling as a frontrunner. Social is just not the place I thrive or need my mind to essentially stay for too many hours day by day, in order you may think about, I’m sooo grateful for the assist and experience of people that love digging into it.
Talking of! For the weblog (which is the actual motive for the season for me) We’ve employed a brand new web site designer, which is so thrilling. However earlier than getting too far within the weeds, we needed to actually determine what classes we wish to preserve, how we wish to present our previous work, and primarily how we wish the web site to stream, which is best for each each day readers and other people touchdown and looking for design sources. The great and magical Jess is heading that up with Caitlin and Gretch, who perceive our readers’ habits (YOU!) very well. I’m actually excited in regards to the adjustments. Proper now, there’s simply an excessive amount of, and persons are barely utilizing a lot of the location, so it will likely be WAY extra streamlined, together with some new options that we’re excited to make use of ourselves.
We talked via extra couch and furnishings line, each designs and a few advertising concepts (excellent news, extra colours and sizing coming VERY quickly in our hottest sofas (Oscar, Barb, Alice, and Milo), with new designs within the works.
Caitlin’s candy face captured – in water with a Weight loss program Coke is what she wanted:) She can be a fish if she had her method!
Then we by accident known as a Karaoke Uber automobile. I noticed the microphones subsequent to me within the entrance seat and requested, “What are these for?” He mentioned, “Karaoke,” like I used to be dumb. So we embraced it for the quarter-hour to dinner, and we stored his quantity to have him take us house.
We had dinner at Mr. Lyons, a flowery and really cool traditional steakhouse with scrumptious martinis. That is the place I opened the dialog about my “worth system” as if that’s a standard factor to only discuss over dinner and martinis. I’ve been studying Brené Brown for years, and some time in the past, I explored her Dare to Lead Worth System. I feel I lastly dialed it in. This can be a program that she does for lots of leaders to assist them determine their private and firm values after which assist them to operationalize them. Up to now, I bought stumped, not with the ability to slender it down previous 5 phrases (it’s WAY tougher than it appears). However she claims you can solely select 2, and no, they aren’t totally different if you end up at house or at work. These are the issues that you’re prepared to sacrifice all else for, good or unhealthy. These are what drive you and what’s actually an important to you. Mine are “enjoyable” and “connection”. Whereas onerous work, integrity, and kindness are up there, if I’m actually trustworthy with myself, I like all of these issues provided that enjoyable and connection are someway concerned. I actually, actually like folks to have a great time, to really feel good, to create an environment inside of labor, at house, and on the weblog that feels enjoyable and the place folks really feel linked. After I’m not linked to readers, to my crew, to my husband, children, and so on., I really feel a deep sense of disappointment and negativity. It’s additionally why I hate small speak, and in case you meet me IRL, count on to go deep actual quick. For me, it’s an effective way to focus a bit – I must be sure that my crew has enjoyable, too, and that you just guys actually take pleasure in being right here. After which we talked lots about why communication is so deeply necessary to me, particularly our long-distance relationship, which results in deeper, you guessed it, connection. 🙂
Anyway, in case you are in a management place, I extremely suggest shopping for Dare to Lead and even simply head to her web site and undergo the apply. She has helped me a lot. P.S. I’m not notably nice on the “Rumbling With Vulnerability” – nonetheless engaged on that one, IYKYK).
As you may see, our home needed in on the enjoyable, with some inspirational quotes… After which all of us masked up and watched Love is Blind’s new season (SO GOOD).
Day 2: Our Artistic Workshop
The second day was meant for connecting by having some enjoyable collectively. Generally we go classic buying or wine tasting, however this time I needed to do one thing extra growth-oriented. So I employed my buddy Jen, who is without doubt one of the most artistic folks I do know and has spent the final 6 years deep in artwork remedy, to conduct a artistic workshop with us. She has advised me lots in regards to the full therapeutic and unlocking she has had via doing artwork in a very childlike method – simply tapping into the a part of us that creates with out judgment or perfectionism (which is admittedly actually onerous for me). She’s additionally one of the vital emotionally beneficiant, type, weak, humorous, supportive, and inventive folks on the planet. In case you want a cheerleader or a hype lady, she’s it. Observe her on IG right here in case you’d like.
She introduced a ton of supplies and an entire library to encourage us. We perused them whereas she walked us via her journey. It was deeply private and but common. And he or she has an ease and heat about her that makes you are feeling actually open and cozy.
We began by scribbling and simply being actually free with colour and materials. I’m not going to stroll you thru what we did; most of you doubtless assume that is completely bizarre anyway (it was!), nevertheless it was extremely gratifying, enjoyable, and galvanizing. And doing it collectively felt so good. Our crew is very nice at giving one another compliments, saying “nice job” at their particular person tasks, so this was no totally different. Numerous love unfold round.
There was zero expectation at making good artwork, and most of us fought over the identical paint markers (so satisfying, its all I wish to use now).
Issues Bought Bizarre
By the tip of the day (with two apperal spritz) we had all made these combined media 3D goggles that assist us see the long run. As you do. We laughed and smiled all day.
I snort out loud each time I see these photos. Not as a result of we made them, however as a result of we made them through the work day on a crew retreat. I do know that some folks would relatively die than do that with their co-workers. Now we have a really particular group of ladies (all of whom like to craft) and are so comfy with one another that I knew it will be an enormous hit.
We crafted by the pool all day whereas speaking, sipping on Aperol Spritzes and making these ridiculously enjoyable masks that may assist us see the long run, for certain. As Gretchen put it, that was the “greatest day of life ever,”… which means, not simply of labor.
I feel I mentioned, “I’m simply so fortunate to be doing this at this time, with all of you,” again and again. I understand how distinctive that is, to have a crew this shut and to achieve success sufficient as an organization to guide out these retreats and splurge on three days of complete enjoyable (and sure, neglect our jobs). These women work so onerous for this firm, so these journeys are to thank them, and to rejoice and ensure they don’t depart me!! We walked to sushi that night time at Sandfish, completed the Love is Blind episodes (the brand new season is great), and flew house the subsequent day feeling overwhelmed with gratitude for my crew. All of us actually appreciated the feedback from final week’s put up (the just about promoting the enterprise one) and know that we wouldn’t be right here in case you guys weren’t. So thanks once more, at all times, for being right here and giving us your time, consideration, and suggestions. We worth it greater than you recognize. xx, Emily
*The Prettier Pictures by our great Kaitlin Inexperienced (honorary EHD crew member:))
