One question I get a lot from retreat leaders (and aspiring leaders) is: “𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘐 𝘤𝘰-𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘴𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘦𝘭𝘴𝘦?”
It’s a good question- and the truth is, there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Co-leading can be amazing… and it can also get tricky. If you’re considering it, here are some of the biggest pros and cons I’ve seen over the years.
✅ 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
•Shared workload: You don’t have to hold every single detail yourself- responsibilities can be divided, which takes some pressure off.
•Complementary strengths: Maybe one of you shines with teaching while the other thrives with logistics. Together, you can create a really well-rounded experience.
•Built-in support system: When things get challenging (and they always do at some point), it’s comforting to know you’re not carrying it all alone.
•Expanded reach: Each leader brings their own network, so you may attract more participants than you could solo.
❌ 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗼-𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴
•Split profits: The numbers can look different when you’re dividing income, especially if you’re aiming for this work to be a big revenue stream.
•Creative differences: Two visions don’t always align and navigating decision-making can get complicated.
•Imbalance of workload: Sometimes one leader ends up doing more of the heavy lifting, which can lead to frustration.
•Uneven sign-ups and visibility: One person may naturally draw in more participants than the other. If this isn’t addressed up front, it can create tension.
•Different expectations: From retreat style to communication style, misalignment here can make the experience more stressful than supportive.
𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲:
As someone who’s been leading and planning retreats for over a decade, I’ve tried both models. While I love the idea of collaboration, I personally prefer to lead my retreats on my own. Why? Because it allows me to have a clear, cohesive vision from start to finish. I get to design every detail of the experience, hold the container with consistency, and know that the success of the retreat depends only on me.
✨ That said, I do think co-leading can work beautifully if you and your partner are deeply aligned and you’ve had the important money/expectations/workload conversations up front.
At the end of the day, there’s no wrong answer…just what’s right for you.
💡If you’re considering co-leading, I always recommend having a candid conversation with your potential partner before committing. Ask the tough questions early so you can avoid tougher situations later.
Have you ever co-led (or thought about it)? I’d love to hear your experiences, just hit reply and let me know!
✨Are you ready to take your offerings to the next level?
