Over the last several months, I have appreciated the opportunity to support some outstanding organizations as they embark on their strategic journey. Along the way, we honed our virtual collaboration and community engagement skills and discovered some new tools– think QR codes and AI meeting note transcription, and many administrative or management functions can be accomplished more effectively virtually. We learned another thing; nothing can replace being in the same room, sitting across the table from someone. The communication-intensive work of creating a culture, starting a new project, or developing something genuinely innovative is almost always done better in person. When we are able to gather, we are reminded that nothing can replace the power of being in the same physical space when it comes to communicating, connecting, and creating something great, together.
Strategic planning retreat, Town of Whitman, MA.