The G100 CEOs Retreats brought together inspiring entrepreneurs and C-suite leaders for respective three-day gatherings, across August and September. Set amidst the serene and spiritually uplifting environment of Six Senses Fort Barwara, in Rajasthan, India, the retreats fostered friendships, cultivating supportive networks, particularly empowering women’s leadership in senior roles and entrepreneurial paths. Many attendees joined with their families, highlighting the essential role of personal support in professional advancement.

The retreats drew global participation from 25 countries, including: Argentina, Armenia, Austria, Cameroon, Canada, Costa Rica, Cyprus, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Israel, Italy, Lebanon, Luxembourg, Poland, Slovenia, South Africa, Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA, Uzbekistan, and India.

The retreats held the objective and intention of bridging gaps in women’s support systems, especially in entrepreneurship and leadership, in order to embolden women to take the leaps as necessary, in their personal and professional lives. 

It was deeply moving to see beautifully bonds blossoming among participants from across cultures and contents. With ample networking opportunities in a spirit of friendship and camaraderie, many explored new partnerships and possibilities for growth. 

Indeed, a standout feature of the retreat was the opportunity to connect with people of calibre from diverse cultural backgrounds. As we shared our stories, passions, and perspectives, our open hearts and minds ignited inspiration, creativity, and aspiration. Not only did we foster a global community in a family-feeling, but we also enhanced opportunities for personal and professional growth, in an immersive experience that brought out the person and human behind every leader. 

Some key learnings were: 

• A global mix of leaders always enriches all with a sense of solidarity and common purpose, notwithstanding the political uncertainty or cultural differences.

• Such shared experiences in a relaxed setting enable us to interact from generous and authentic perspectives, deepening bonds and building relationships with the power of perspective softened with receptivity on all sides.

• Top leadership and entrepreneurs need the stimulus of such solidarity in exchange, inspiration and cooperation, to up their game and lead better with depth of insight and understanding, overcoming inner biases and barriers.

• Concepts such as diversity, harmony, equality, sustainability can be better understood (and not just superficially as buzzwords) through lived settings such as these, improving the implementation of policies and culture-setting around them.

• CEOs need such retreats to learn from other CEOs, women and men, and especially across the Global North – South divide, to truly embrace leadership diversity, and self-growth. As leaders are transformed, so is their leadership. 

An intriguing observation from our retreats has been the request for an agenda, which we intentionally omitted to foster an environment of informal connection. In the absence of an external agenda, the internal agenda took center stage: rejuvenating each individual from the inside out, and enabling us to connect with depth. 

Of course, we offered various kind of activities which one could choose from, including spa and yoga. However, senior leaders and high-achievers being ever in pursuit of action and performance struggle with the idea of doing “nothing”. Little do we realise that it is by embracing the present moment in all its wholeness, or emptiness, that we can reassess our onward path, and rewire our brains and beings, transforming all that we bring to our future. 

In today’s fast-paced world, where rushing often masquerades as progress, embracing rest is crucial. Rest is not a luxury; it’s essential for reflective energy, creativity, and change. Rest renews our perspective and helps us in reprioritisation. Rest empowers reflection, enhancing our capacity for connection and creation. When rested, we have improved focus and clarity. Rest helps us cope better with life’s challenges. Simply put, rested, we live better, work better. Our retreats have taught us this most valuable lesson.

Convenors & Hosts: 

Founder & President, G100 Club, Dr. Harbeen Arora Rai

Founder & President, Denim Club, Vinay Rai