Part 1: The Work Design Retreat

Like I said in a recent post, my seven days in the midwest felt more like three lifetimes.

It's very true.

And the only rational way to share about the trip is to break it into those three parts.

So, first, the Actual Work Design Retreat - afterall, that's the whole reason I was away in the first place, right?

The retreat itself was really fantastic. My company went above and beyond all expectations - closing down all seven of our offices and flying every single member of the staff to Chicago for the retreat. It was four-and-a-half days long and jam-packed of really wonderful content.

The four guiding principles of our company - things we strive to focus on with every project we do - are environment, art, economics and community. Last year, the design retreat was focused on environment and art. This year, economics and community. And, I've got to say, I LOVED IT!

We toured Chicago - seeing examples of really well-planned parks and communities and some of the poorest neighborhoods in Chicago and heard what's being done to revitalize those places. Especially significant was seeing Cabrini Green, the notorious public housing neighborhood. It's crazy what they're doing there...crazy but good.

And we sat in sessions for long days talking about community and economics. I know that doesn't sound so fantastic but honestly, it was great. And, though it's a little difficult to try to explain right now, the entire experience made me want to actually play a bigger role in the work my company does - to do something more significant than answering phones- and to actually contribute to actual projects. And, so I'm investigating ways that can happen. There are some options for me...but nothing concrete is happening yet. I'll keep you posted on if/when something develops.

I guess, all in all, the retreat made me appreciate and respect what it is that our company really does...and to want to be a part of it in a grander way. Some people say that our company's like a cult or something...because everyone's so positive about it and because they indoctrinate everyone with their design philosophy. There's some truth to that, I guess. But, while it's definitely not a perfect company, they're really doign some great stuff. It's a privilege to work for them.