Companies where leadership teams are aligned on vision and strategy are 70% more likely to outperform their peers in revenue growth. And yet, fewer than 25% of executives feel their organizations are effectively aligned on strategy and priorities.

 

 

A recent piece in Harvard Business Review — "Why Offsites Work and How to Get the Most Out of Them" — draws on a decade of research to make the case that offsites are one of the most powerful tools managers have for reshaping how teams share ideas, build trust, and actually collaborate. 

 

 

That second one — the new hire piece — is one I want to flag because of a recent conversation with a client.

 

They were planning a leadership offsite and said, "Shouldn't we wait until our new person is more settled before we do this?"

 

My answer: no. It's more important to do it early. An offsite is one of the fastest ways to get a new leader aligned — not just on the strategy, but on the team dynamics, the unspoken norms, the way decisions actually get made. Waiting until they're "ready" means they spend months operating on assumptions. Bringing them in early gives everyone — including the existing team — a chance to recalibrate together.

 

If you are looking for a facilitator, our calendars are filling fast. Let us know you are interested here.  

 

If you're onboarding a new leader right now, this is also a good time to check out our 90-Day Playbook — a resource we've built around the critical first 90 days in a new role. 

 

Our latest episode digs into what the first 90 days should actually look like — and what most people get wrong. Worth a listen whether you're the one stepping into a new role or the one managing someone who is. 

 

A look at how to use assessments with intention — and why the tool matters less than how you apply it. 

 

Optimism isn't just a disposition — it's a force. Gurner breaks down how effective optimism (not blind optimism) drives revenue, performance, and team culture. One of her best. 

 

Nitin Nohria, former dean of Harvard Business School, on the biggest surprise for new CEOs: your job is not to run the company. It's to create the conditions for your leadership team to run it well. Thirty years of research in thirty minutes. 

 

A case for ditching the slide decks and presentations entirely. If your last offsite felt like a long meeting in a nicer room, read this. 

 

For experienced leaders and seasoned professionals looking to elevate their strategic thinking, decision making, and ability to inspire teams in today's fast-paced, complex environment.

 

Openings for Accelerator Lab and Essentials Lab close next week.

 

Melissa and Adrian made the pages of inRegister for bringing TEDxBaton Rouge back with Unseen Currents, a conversation about South Louisiana's future that other organizers shied away from. 
→ Read the Feature

 

For the fifth year, Success Labs has been recognized as one of the LSU 100 Fastest Growing Tiger Businesses. We are grateful to the clients who make this possible and proud of the team that continues to earn their trust.

 

Juanetta White was a featured speaker at the LSU Women in Business event earlier this month. The panel shared real world insights on building influence, growing confidence, navigating leadership spaces, and stepping boldly into opportunities that create lasting impact. 

 

That's it for now. If this landed, forward it to someone who'd find it useful. And if there's a question or challenge you're navigating, hit reply — we'd love to hear what's on your mind.

 

 

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