The Campfire worked with a fast-growing consultancy to rediscover its spark. With 120-150 talented people working across the globe—DACH, the UK, Scandinavia, and beyond—they had grown quickly, but that growth came with a cost. Acquired by a major American consulting firm, they faced the challenge of scaling without losing the essence of what made them unique.
Leadership meetings dragged. Decisions stalled. Tensions simmered as leaders, exhausted from the journey, struggled to align. What brought them success in the early days no longer worked, and the weight of unresolved issues slowed them down.
As one executive put it, “We were stuck in the same conversations for two years.”
Something had to change.
Naming the Elephants
The turning point came with the Elephant Naming Workshops—a year-long engagement designed to uncover the unspoken truths holding them back and create space for real transformation.
Phase 1: Listening and Discovery
We started by listening—deeply. Junior leaders shared honest, unfiltered insights about the challenges they saw, setting the stage for open dialogue. This discovery process laid the groundwork for what came next: a leadership retreat unlike any they’d experienced.
Phase 2: The Campfire Retreat
Six months in, the leadership team gathered for a retreat that was raw, vulnerable, and real. They named their fears—fear of change, fear of losing what made the company special—and confronted patterns they hadn’t even realized were there. Together, they began to untangle years of frustration and misalignment, finding a shared path forward.
From Stalemates to Momentum
The impact was profound. Leadership meetings, once plagued by indecision, became spaces for real progress. Leaders learned to communicate clearly, delegate effectively, and align with the company’s vision.
As one executive put it, “More happened in the last two months than in the previous two years.”
This wasn’t just about fixing processes; it was about rediscovering trust, courage, and purpose. They didn’t just solve problems—they grew into a team ready to face the future together.
A New Foundation for Growth
This journey wasn’t easy, but it was worth it. By facing hard truths and reconnecting with their purpose, this team built something stronger:
- Alignment: Leaders moved past old tensions to create a unified vision.
- Momentum: Decisions flowed, and projects moved forward with energy and clarity.
- Connection: They rediscovered what made their team—and their company—special.
This wasn’t just a shift in strategy. It was a transformation throughout how they worked with and led each other, creating a foundation for sustainable growth.
Their story is a reminder of what’s possible when we show up with courage, honesty, and heart.