Episode Summary
In this special episode of Work Hard, Live Soft, Maya sits down with her Operations Manager, Twyla Adkins, to give you a behind-the-scenes look at how they keep Built to Impact thriving as a multi-six to seven-figure business. They reveal their exact process for running team retreats that actually work—not just feel-good sessions, but strategic alignment meetings that improve efficiency, clarify roles, and drive growth.
You’ll learn how to conduct team retreats that align on vision and goals, identify each team member’s unique contributions and zone of genius, assess team dynamics and areas for improvement, celebrate wins while providing growth opportunities, and hold everyone accountable to their roles and responsibilities. This one’s for entrepreneurs scaling teams who want efficiency without sacrificing culture.
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Key Takeaways
- Team retreats aren’t vacations—they’re strategic alignment sessions: The goal is to get everyone on the same page about vision, goals, and how each person contributes.
- Identify zones of genius, not just job descriptions: Understanding what each team member naturally excels at allows you to optimize roles and responsibilities.
- Honest assessment > surface-level positivity: Real improvement comes from addressing team dynamics and friction points, not pretending everything is perfect.
- Celebrate wins to build momentum: Acknowledging achievements reinforces what’s working and motivates the team to keep performing.
- Accountability starts at the top: Leaders must model the behaviors and standards they expect from their team.
- Regular realignment prevents drift: Teams naturally lose focus over time. Retreats bring everyone back to center before small issues become big problems.
Highlights & Quotes
“Team retreats aren’t just about bonding—they’re about strategic alignment. We’re making sure everyone knows the vision and how their role contributes to it.”
Why it matters: Many entrepreneurs skip alignment meetings and wonder why their team feels disconnected. Retreats create clarity and prevent wasted effort on misaligned priorities.
“Understanding each team member’s zone of genius allows us to optimize roles. When people work in their strengths, efficiency and morale both improve.”
Why it matters: Job descriptions are static, but people are dynamic. Regular assessment ensures you’re leveraging each person’s unique talents instead of forcing them into boxes.
“Real improvement comes from honest assessment, not surface-level positivity. We address friction points directly so they don’t become bigger issues.”
Why it matters: Toxic positivity kills team growth. Creating psychological safety to discuss challenges openly prevents resentment and turnover.
Who This Episode Is For
✅ Entrepreneurs with growing teams (3+ people)
✅ CEOs feeling disconnected from their team’s day-to-day
✅ Business owners experiencing team misalignment or inefficiency
✅ Founders preparing to hire an Operations Manager
✅ Leaders wanting to improve team culture and performance
Resources Mentioned
- Book A 1:1 Call: builttoimpact.com/ready
- Five-Figure Launch Kit: mayaelious.com/launchkit
- Shop My Amazon Store Front: mayaelious.com/amazon
Related Episodes
- Episode 2: How I Design, Delegate, & Live My Life as a CEO
- Episode 4: Owning A 7-Figure Company & When To Get Back In Your Business
Let’s Stay Connected
My Website: https://www.mayaelious.com
Instagram: https://instagram.com/mayaelious
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@mayaelious