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From Pressure to Poise: How a VP Delivered a High-Impact Leadership Retreat in Record Time
For confidentiality purposes, the client’s name and organization have been withheld.
The Challenge
Having joined the organization less than six months earlier, the VP of People & Culture was tasked with delivering a critical three-day leadership retreat—her first major project with significant visibility. The retreat marked the first time the executive leadership team would come together in person post-pandemic, with a mix of new and tenured leaders. There was immense pressure to create an environment that fostered trust, alignment, and connection among the executive team while ensuring the retreat’s broader goal of setting strategic priorities for the year. With tight timelines and high expectations, she needed a partner who could help execute flawlessly while positioning her as a strategic leader within the organization.
Our Solution
C3 Effect partnered with the VP to deliver a comprehensive and strategic approach to the retreat. We created a cohesive brand identity and creative materials, ensuring a consistent theme that could be leveraged throughout the year for employee events and engagement initiatives. The breakout sessions and icebreaker activities were thoughtfully designed to foster trust and connection by helping executives understand each other’s strengths and working styles. To reinforce company culture, we produced an employee culture video, capturing authentic voices from all levels of leadership, emphasizing the organization’s values and collective vision. Additionally, we ideated and facilitated an executive panel discussion, featuring the CEO and key leaders in an informal setting, providing senior leaders with the opportunity to engage directly, ask questions, and align with the executive team’s priorities for the year.
The Impact
With C3 Effect’s support, the retreat not only met but exceeded expectations, delivering a highly engaging and strategically aligned experience. The VP successfully executed the event with precision, strengthening trust among leadership and positioning herself as a credible, strategic leader. The retreat fostered open dialogue and meaningful connections across leadership levels, laying the foundation for greater collaboration and alignment moving forward. The materials and frameworks developed provided long-term value, offering a blueprint for future leadership initiatives. Most importantly, the VP gained confidence in her role, earning the trust of both the CEO and her peers, and establishing a reputation as a key driver of strategic execution.
"C3 Effect provided the clarity, structure, and strategic insight I needed to deliver an exceptional retreat. Their support allowed me to focus on what truly mattered—building leadership connections and driving meaningful change.”
