Reconnect with the Team

I'll be honest with you: I was nervous walking into the city library last week.

Our team—Narda, Julia, Latrice, and I—had been grinding through one of the busiest years we've ever had. We were closing deals, serving clients, hitting our numbers. But somewhere in the chaos of 2025, we'd lost something important. We hadn't taken the time to really connect. To talk about who we are and where we're going. To sit in the same room and remember why we're doing this together.

So I blocked out a morning, packed up flip charts, post-it notes, markers, and way too much candy, and we headed to our local library.

What happened next transformed everything.

As we worked through our values exercise, something beautiful emerged. We were using different words—but our core values were identical. Every single person on the team cared about the same things. We weren't just working together by accident; we were meant to work together.

When we crafted our vision for 2026 and beyond, the energy in that room shifted. We weren't just talking about transactions anymore. We were talking about legacy. About impact. About building something that matters.

And the Manual of Me exercise? Game-changer. We learned how each person works best. (Turns out I need my Saturdays off to recharge, while another team member thrives with Wednesday breaks.) These aren't just nice-to-know details—they're the foundation of a team that actually works.

By the time we walked out of that library, I felt something I hadn't felt in months: complete alignment. I know—deep in my bones—that every person on this team has my back. And that trust? You can't put a price on it.

Here's my question for you:

When was the last time you did this with YOUR team?

If it's been more than six months (or if you've never done it at all), you're leaving money and momentum on the table. More importantly, you're missing the chance to build the kind of team culture that makes people want to stay, grow, and win together.

I'm making this easy for you. I'm sharing the exact agenda we used—everything from the values exercise to the vision statement framework to the Manual of Me. You can grab it and run your own team offsite next week if you want.

And if you're a member, don't forget to check out the Team Vision/Values/Mission worksheet and the Manual of Me template in the members area. These tools will help you facilitate a session that your team will talk about for months.

Your team is your greatest asset. Invest half a day in reconnecting with them. I promise you won't regret it.

YOUR TEAM OFFSITE AGENDA

1. TEAM VALUES

• Frame it – Explain what you mean by "values" and give examples

• Individual brainstorm – Everyone writes their top 5-7 values on post-its

• Post and share – Everyone posts their post-its and briefly explains their choices

• Group and discuss – Cluster similar values together, identify themes and overlaps

• Land on core values – Agree on your top 3-5 team values

  
  

2. VISION STATEMENT

• Introduce framework – Present fill-in-the-blank template: "In 2030, [team name] will be [what you'll be known for], serving [who] by [how], while [what makes you different]."

• Individual brainstorm – Everyone writes ideas for each blank on post-its

• Post and share by section – Go through one blank at a time, discuss each

• Craft statement together – Wordsmith your vision statement as a group

  
  

3. WORKING TOGETHER (Manual of Me)

• Set the stage – Explain the Manual of Me purpose; you'll share first to model openness

• Individual completion time – Everyone completes their Manual of Me worksheet

• Share in rounds – Each person shares key highlights

• Quick team agreements – "What's one agreement we should make as a team to work better together?"

  
  

4. 2026 BUSINESS PLAN

Individual Goals

• Each person shares their personal targets for 2026

• Transactions, GCI, and personal priorities

• What does success look like for each of us individually?

Team Goals: Based on individual goals, set overall team transaction target for 2026

Key Initiatives: Identify 3-5 major focus areas for 2026

5. WRAP-UP & NEXT STEPS

• Recap the values, vision, and goals

• Celebrate the work you've done together!

Ready to create your own transformative team meeting? Grab this agenda and make it happen.

Members: Don't forget to download the Team Building Worksheet and Manual of Me template from the Members Area.