Forum Supercharge / Retreats

Every year forums are expected to go on a retreat. At their best, these two to four day occasions strive to combine fun and learning in a comprehensive program that seamlessly honors both.

  • Prior to retreat, I will have phone discussions with moderator, and the forum will sometimes complete an online survey. These data points allow for an informed sense of where the challenges lie, what may be off track.
  • Based on this knowledge, I’m then able to design and craft relevant and timely exercises to address these issues, and help forum move to next level.
  • Sometimes, if the forum has gotten off track, this involves a return to getting the basics of forum right. It can involve reconstituting either the structure or the spirit of forum, or both. Usually, along with revitalizing the core concepts, experiential learning exercises are deployed to deepen connection and enhance authenticity of sharing.
  • I also often introduce learning models whose dynamics and practices equip members with new tools and skills both for forum and in other areas of their life.
  • Some of the processes and principles that are outlined in “TRAINING” section on this site are examples of learning models I will often use as frameworks for YPO Forum learning.
  • Many retreats achieve high value by going straight into issues and topics that are identified by the forum questionnaire. Other forums choose to explore these issues through the lens of mental models that allows them look at these dynamics through new eyes, and of extra importance, to then take the forum retreat learnings back to their business and personal contexts. Usually our style and “way of being” in the world cuts across contexts. We’re the same people and tend to behave similarly in different situations and contexts since our style is relatively stable.
    As we’re able to explore our patterns with vulnerability in the safe container of the YPO Forum environment, we’re then more easily able to translate these learnings into other dimensions of our lives.
  • A high performing forum is dedicated to the shared vision of constantly becoming an ever greater, evolving group of excellence and depth. A powerful retreat experience supercharges this achievement.

For more information on what I bring to my retreat experience, see the link to further materials that are outlined on this website at the FACILITATION/KEYNOTE page, as well as the models outlined under the “TRAINING” tab on this site.

  • Many retreats achieve high value by going straight into issues and topics that are identified by the forum questionnaire. Other forums choose to explore these issues through the lens of mental models that allows them look at these dynamics through new eyes, and of extra importance, to then take the forum retreat learnings back to their business and personal contexts. Usually our style and “way of being” in the world cuts across contexts. We’re the same people and tend to behave similarly in different situations and contexts since our style is relatively stable.
    As we’re able to explore our patterns with vulnerability in the safe container of the YPO Forum environment, we’re then more easily able to translate these learnings into other dimensions of our lives.
  • A high performing forum is dedicated to the shared vision of constantly becoming an ever greater, evolving group of excellence and depth. A powerful retreat experience supercharges this achievement.

For more information on what I bring to my retreat experience, see the link to further materials that are outlined on this website at the FACILITATION/KEYNOTE page, as well as the models outlined under the “TRAINING” tab on this site.

I have worked with Bert Parlee for the last year in his role of Senior Advisor at the Stagen Group in Dallas, Texas. I have found Bert’s insights, experience and intellect to be of high value to me in my role with the Young Presidents’ Organization. Bert has been instrumental in digging into challenges that have come up, and working on strategies to best address them. His advice and counsel has been extremely helpful and on the mark.

The key to Bert’s success is his ability to listen clearly, express himself with elegance and clarity, and to provide insights based on his experience and training. He offers both business and people based perspectives that fit my style very well. He is solutions oriented and is committed to making people successful.

As a Leadership Trainer, Bert is engaging, informative, a master interpersonal group process facilitator, and brings a wealth of learning models and experiential exercises to deepen and extend the traditional YPO curriculum.

I would highly recommend Bert to anyone who is looking for an integral approach to development, either individually or as a group.

David W. Cook YPO-WPO

I have worked with Bert Parlee for the last 7 months in his role at the Stagen Group in Dallas, Texas. I have found Bert’s insights, experience and intellect to be of high value to me in my role with the Young Presidents’ Organization. Bert has been instrumental in digging into challenges that have come up, and working on a strategy to best address them. His advice and counsel has been extremely helpful and on the mark.

The key to Bert’s success in my humble opinion is his ability to listen, and to draw conclusions based on his experience and training. He offers both business based solutions, as well as a personal, people based perspective that fits my style very well. He is solutions oriented and is committed to making people successful.

I would highly recommend Bert to someone who is looking for a holistic approach to finding solutions.

David Cook, Executive Director, YPO

I wanted to thank you for the week long training and coaching you conducted for the various groups in our chapter. You were definitely the man for the job! I was very worried that one person wouldn’t be able to address all the different needs that our chapter had, but your background and education proved to be EXACTLY what we needed. Your name continues to be brought up at our chapter events and we look forward to working together in the future. Thanks again for the successful training and moderating… let’s stay in touch.

Bryan Dyson, YPO Forum Officer
, OKC Chapter

I have benefitted tremendously from Bert over the years. In my role as Dallas YPO Chapter Chair and Board member, I received great feedback from our members and spouses regarding Bert’s forum retreat facilitations. Bert provides both a secure and demanding container to explore personal life and business challenges. Having been in a partnership relationship from the outset with a senior member, Bert helped me expand my perspective so that I was better able to navigate my way through crucial conversations with this partner (with who I had father figure dynamics in play), enabling me to buy him out. The business has been able build into a whole next level of valuation, and is now becoming a national presence.

Brian Schultz, CEO Studio Movie Grill YPO Dallas Chapter Chair

In my leadership role with YPO (Young Presidents Organization), I have worked with Bert Parlee for the last 3 years in his role Senior Advisor role at the Stagen Group in Dallas. I have found Bert’s insights, experience and approaches to be of the highest value. Bert has been instrumental in digging into what had been intractable problems. He has been able to creatively craft effective strategies and practices to transform these dilemmas into opportunities. His advice and counsel has been nothing less than liberating for me and my team.

David W. Cook, Executive Director, YPO-WPO International Events Team