Claireity

Let’s be honest—most away days are more “please no more trust falls” than “wow, that changed everything.”

Yes, they’re usually meant to be strategic—but too often, they become a one-way download. Leadership unveils “the big plan,” everyone nods politely, and then… they’re expected to go away and implement it, with barely a moment to reflect—let alone co-create. That’s not strategy. That’s a script.

At Claireity, we believe away days should do more than fill flipcharts and empty prosecco bottles. They should energise your people, align your teams, and create a ripple effect that lasts way longer than the free buffet perk!

So if you’re going to pull your team away from their everyday whirlwind—make it matter. Here’s how.

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1. Start With Why

If your away day doesn’t have a purpose, it’s just a picnic in disguise. Whether you’re tackling a strategic shift, rebuilding team trust, or reigniting motivation—it needs a clear, shared goal.

🎯 Claireity Tip:
Write a one-sentence purpose and pin it to every planning conversation: “By the end of the day, we want the team to feel __ and be able to __.”

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2. Avoid the One-Way Download

One of the biggest issues we see? Away days used as a stage for leaders to present a strategy—not to build one. For many teams, this is the first time they’re hearing about major changes, and they’re expected to respond instantly. There’s no space to process, question, or create their own plan of action.

🎯 Claireity Tip:
If you’re introducing something new, bake in time for reflection, discussion—and even pushback. Try small group work with prompts like: “What excites you about this?”, “Where might we hit resistance?”, “What do we need to make this a success?” Ownership starts with involvement.

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3. Get Everyone Involved (Not Just the Loudest Voices)

You’ve seen it before—the same three people dominate the discussion while others fade into the wallpaper. A great away day is designed with everyone in mind: introverts, neuro-divergent team members, the newbies, the cynics, the quietly brilliant ones.

🎯 Claireity Tip:
Use anonymous pre-day input or a warm-up that levels the playing field—something playful like “What’s one superpower our team doesn’t use enough?” Ask the wider team for their input.

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4. Blend Head and Heart

Yes, away days are about business. But they’re also about belonging. The most powerful days are the ones where people reconnect—with the mission, with each other, and sometimes with themselves.

🎯 Claireity Tip:
Include activities that tap into emotion as well as intellect. A “team timeline” of wins, learnings, and proud moments can create space for reflection and connection, in addition to those awkward icebreakers.

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5. Make It Inclusive

If the two-day only works for full-timers who love karaoke and have no childcare responsibilities—it’s not working. True culture work starts with inclusion. Ask yourself: who can actually attend, and who might be quietly excluded?

🎯 Claireity Tip:
Consider hybrid options, flexible timings, accessible venues, and dietary needs from the get-go. Inclusion isn’t a last-minute add-on—it’s a design principle.

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6. Don’t Let the Momentum Die

You laughed. You cried. You colour-coded a plan. And then… nothing. The number one away day crime? No follow-through.

🎯 Claireity Tip:
Appoint a Momentum Keeper—someone tasked with checking in, nudging next steps, and keeping that spark alive when the day is done. Bonus points for sending out a “One Month Later” roundup of what’s moved forward.

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Let’s Make It Matter

Away days shouldn’t be a box-tick—they should be a turning point. A space to think clearly, connect honestly, and make brave decisions. That’s what we help teams do at Claireity.

If your next away day needs a dose of purpose, planning, or a neutral facilitator who doesn’t believe in trust falls…let’s discuss it.

Let’s chat.

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📞✨ Call me on +44 (0) 7812 007182 or

📨 claire@claireity.co.uk — you choose, I’m easy.