Building Connection, Elevating Experience

Recharged and Reconnected: L&E’s 2025 Management Retreat

If you ever needed proof that “The People for You” starts with the people beside you, our 2025 Management Retreat in Chicago made the case. There was laughter, new connections, and even a few impressive dance moves.
Each year, we press pause on our screens and schedules to come together, face to face, as a leadership team. But this year’s gathering felt especially meaningful. With a retreat theme of “eLEvating the Client Experience,” we focused not just on what we deliver to our clients but on how we support one another in delivering it. After all, the client experience begins with the team experience.

From Conversations to Choreography

Chicago served as a vibrant backdrop for three days of collaboration, shared meals, and just the right amount of chaos (mostly the fun kind). While we won’t name names, one of our newest leaders revealed a jaw-dropping talent for coordinated dance. They quickly earned a reputation as the most unexpectedly entertaining breakout star of the week. Their energy reminded us that confidence and connection can happen fast when you’re surrounded by the right people.
The retreat mixed small group working sessions with full-team moments, allowing departments to dig into their own dynamics and then come together for big-picture planning. From team-building games to a lively round-robin dinner, the tone was celebratory but intentional. Every detail was designed to strengthen how we show up for each other and for our clients.

New Faces, Familiar Values

For a handful of teammates, this was their first time meeting the broader leadership group in person. But from the first handshake to the final farewell, it was clear that our values – transparency, collaboration, and trust – bridge any distance. In-person connection may not be required to do great work, but it accelerates the kind of relationships that make great work feel effortless.

A Better Client Experience Starts Here

As much fun as we had on the dinner cruise (and yes, the snacks, the skyline, and the playlist all delivered), the real purpose of our time together was to align around what’s next. Throughout the retreat, we focused on what “elevating the client experience” means in practice, from technology enhancements to process improvements to simply ensuring every client touchpoint feels just a little more human.

The takeaway is simple: the more cohesive we are as a team, the more consistent and compassionate we can be in our service. That’s the power of in-person investment, and it’s why we believe in making it a priority not just for ourselves but for our clients too. Whether we’re facilitating a focus group or hosting a strategic conversation, nothing beats the clarity, empathy, and momentum that comes from looking someone in the eye.

 

 

 

 

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