This was my first Improving retreat. I’ll be honest: I was a little hesitant to go at first. But once I got there? I loved it, the networking, the friendships, and seeing what folks across offices are building. On the way out, I heard the same thing from others: a mix of “sad it’s over” and “I wish we could keep this energy alive.” It got me thinking about the ways in which we can preserve that post-retrest energy.

That feeling actually has a name: collective effervescence, the rush we get when we move in sync with others around a shared purpose. It lifts our mood and gives us meaning. But like most highs, it fades unless we feed it.

So, here’s a quick brainstorm of ways we can turn a great week into better weeks. Steal what works, remix the rest, and keep that post-retreat energy alive.

Why the “Afterglow” Fades (and How to Stretch It)

• Hedonic adaptation. Humans normalize even the best experiences. The glow fades unless we create fresh cues and routines. Translation: don’t rely on memory alone, build small repeatable actions.
• Relational energy is rechargeable. Some colleagues leave us feeling more alive and engaged. That energy predicts job performance. The trick? Schedule those interactions in small, bite-size ways so they keep happening.
• Weak ties matter. Those “met you in Vegas” acquaintances? They can open surprising doors if we keep them warm. Studies show weak ties often spark more opportunities than our closest contacts.

Personal: Small Moves That Add Up

1. Make an if-then plan (60 seconds). One line: “If it’s Friday 9:30am, then I’ll DM one new person from the retreat.” These “implementation intentions” boost follow-through across many habits.
2. Warm three weak ties in 10 minutes. Pick three people. Send a short, specific note: “Loved your story about X, what happened next?” You’re “capitalizing” on a positive event, which boosts well-being and deepens relationships.
3. Start a low-friction ritual. Tie it to something you already do after Tuesday lunch → react or comment on a colleague’s post/demo. Habits stick through repetition; average is ~66 days.
4. Book “energy lunches.” Once a month, invite someone who energized you. Keep it 25 minutes: swap one current challenge + one tiny tip.
5. Keep a “connection ledger.” One note per person: what they’re excited about, how you might help, when you last connected. Glance weekly, ping one person.

Team/Company (Menu Style — Pick What Fits)

A. Water-cooler, but designed

• Biweekly 25-min “Across Offices” drop-in (for different geographical areas).
• Monthly 45-min “Demo & Donuts”: 10-min show-and-tell + 2×5-min breakout chats + open Q&A.
• Async “Two-truths-and-a-tip”: one prompt a month; reply with a fun fact + one tip you learned recently.
• Optional tools in Teams (CoffeePals, Donut, LEAD.bot) can auto-pair people.

B. Follow-the-sun scheduling Rotate time slots so every region gets prime hours sometimes. Keep short, record only if there’s shared value

C. “What’s everyone working on?” without a meeting One post per month with:

• One thing I’m building
• One thing I’m proud of
• One ask (where I need input)
• One offer (where I can help)

D. Intros that don’t feel forced Seed each session with a micro-prompt: “What surprised you in Vegas?” / “A tool you can’t live without.”

E. Keep it voluntary + opt-in Pull, not push. Easy to try once without signing up forever.

How We Could Put This Into Practice

• Run a quick Teams poll to pick format + cadence.
• Prototype for a month, Try the winning format twice, then revisit.
• Make it portable: Whatever works, document it in a 1-pager so any office can run it on their own schedule.
• Nudge, don’t nag: one monthly prompt + one volunteer demo.
• Protect the vibe: no status reports, no heavy decks. Keep it human. This is about connection and cross-pollination.

Quick Science-Backed Reminders To Keep That Energy

• Relational energy fuels performance. Small positive interactions → higher engagement + results.
• Weak ties = more opportunity. Keeping acquaintances warm increases serendipity.
• Good news multiplies. Sharing positive events boosts well-being for sharer and listener.
• Habits > intentions. If-then plans make behaviors stick.

Your Turn!

What would make this sustainable in your world? Different time zones? Zero-meeting options? Rotating office hours?

For my Improving colleagues: let’s connect on Teams and keep this post-retreat energy flowing. For everyone else: take these ideas, remix them, and make them work for you.

Let’s not wait until next year’s retreat to feel connected again.

Thanks for reading! Make sure to subscribe to our blog. We publish technology tips, tricks, and updates every week.  

Discover More