By: CeCe President
Embracing Setbacks: A Personal Story
Years ago, I faced a significant setback in my business. It was a challenging period, filled with sadness, uncertainty and doubt. However, it was during this time that I discovered a powerful system that transformed my approach to overcoming obstacles: Recommit, Recalibrate, and Reaffirm. By following these three steps, I managed to not only get back on track but also create another successful business within 36 months. This experience taught me invaluable lessons about resilience, adaptability, and the importance of staying true to my vision.
Recommit, Recalibrate, and Reaffirm: Our Annual Ritual
Learning from my personal journey, we at Presidential Consultants, LLC, have adopted the Recommit, Recalibrate, and Reaffirm system with intentionality to prevent setbacks and foster continuous growth in our business. Every July for the past four years, we bring our team together for a retreat dedicated to this process. This retreat has become a cornerstone of our business strategy, inspiring us to end the year strong and catapulting our success in the following year.
The retreat is more than a strategic meeting; it’s a deeply personal experience where we gather away from the hustle and bustle of daily operations to reconnect with our mission and each other. This time of reflection, open dialogue, and genuine connection allows us to share our successes and challenges, remind ourselves of our core values, and reignite our passion. After recommitting to our mission, we move into recalibration, conducting honest assessments and strategic planning to streamline workflows and ensure everyone has the resources needed to succeed. Finally, we reaffirm our commitment by celebrating achievements, recognizing hard work, and renewing our shared vision for the future, strengthening our bonds and energizing us for the year ahead.
The impact of this process has been profound. Not only does it inspire us to end the year with a bang, but it also sets the stage for continued growth and success. Our annual retreat has become a source of renewal and strength, enabling us to tackle challenges with confidence and creativity.
Extending the Impact: Supporting Our Clients
The success of this process within our own organization inspired us to share it with our clients, helping them overcome their own challenges and achieve their goals. One such story stands out, illustrating the transformative power of Recommit, Recalibrate, and Reaffirm.
Our client, a social services organization serving a community of over 150,000 people, was dedicated to supporting children, adults, and families in achieving economic stability, self-sufficiency, and a safe, supportive environment. However, the community struggled and as a result, the organization faced a significant challenge: high turnover rates were leading to burnout and compassion fatigue among staff, severely impacting their ability to serve the community effectively.
Recommit:
The organization’s leadership realized that the heart and soul of their team were being drained by the relentless demands of their work and the constant turnover. We partnered with the Agency Director to organize a series of intimate, heartfelt meetings with staff. These gatherings allowed team members to openly share their struggles and reconnect with their original passion for social service. Leadership listened deeply, validating their experiences and we reminded them of the countless lives they had already transformed. These sessions rekindled the team’s sense of purpose and dedication. Staff members left feeling heard, valued, and inspired to continue their vital work, with a renewed commitment to making a difference in their community.
Recalibrate:
With the team’s spirit reignited, it became clear that systemic changes were needed to sustain this newfound energy and address the root causes of burnout and turnover. Working closely with the Agency Director, we helped them conduct a thorough review of the organization’s workload, staffing levels, and support systems. We identified key areas where improvements could be made to reduce stress and enhance efficiency. We made recommendations around better work-life balance policies, strengthening mental health support, and streamlining administrative tasks so staff could focus more on their impactful work with clients. The recalibration led to a more nurturing and effective work environment. Several new policies and procedures were implemented, providing staff with the support they needed to thrive.
Reaffirm:
With new systems in place and the team operating more smoothly, it was crucial to ensure that everyone remained connected to the organization’s vision and mission. We assisted the Agency Director in planning an annual retreat designed to reaffirm the organization’s core values and celebrate their collective achievements. The retreat featured team-building activities, workshops on self-care and professional development, and sessions that highlighted the profound impact of their work. Leadership took this opportunity to express deep gratitude and publicly recognize the dedication and hard work of every staff member. The retreat was a resounding success. It reaffirmed the team’s belief in their mission and their role in achieving it. Staff members returned to work with a renewed sense of energy and purpose, feeling truly appreciated and motivated to continue their life-changing work. This commitment to regular reaffirmation helped maintain high morale and a strong, cohesive organizational culture.
Conclusion
It’s been almost two years since our initial work with this agency began, and we continue to support them in various ways to this day. Although their work remains challenging, staff members now tell us they feel equipped with the tools to thrive and sustain their passion for service. This renewed confidence is evident in their increasing staff retention rates, significantly enhancing both staff well-being and service delivery to clients. Everybody wins.
The Recommit, Recalibrate, and Reaffirm process is more than just a system; it’s a mindset that fosters resilience, growth, and unwavering dedication. By integrating this approach into our annual retreat, we’ve not only strengthened our own organization but also empowered ourselves to better serve our clients in overcoming their challenges and thriving. Reflecting on the initial business setback that led to the creation of this process, I wouldn’t have chosen that hardship, but I also wouldn’t change it now. The transformation it has brought to me, my team, and our clients is invaluable.
Entrepreneur and international speaker CeCe President is the creator of Be BOLD Enough: A Service-Based Leadership Development System. She empowers passionate leaders with the coaching, confidence, and clarity they need to create massive impact and serve customers at the highest levels.
CeCe holds a master’s degree in public administration from the City University of New York. With over two decades of experience leading public, private, and non-profit organizations, CeCe is a sought-after consultant, speaker, and leadership coach whose work changes lives and reshapes organizations.
CeCe is an avid volunteer, outspoken advocate, and committed donor to various causes. Among the many ways she serves her community is as a board member for Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Ohio, Greater Cleveland Partnership, and COSE, Cleveland’s small business Chamber of Commerce. CeCe and her husband, company founder Anthony President, are both native Clevelanders and proud alumni of John Carroll University.
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