‘Rivendell’ Retreat 2025 | Jevnaker, Norway | 13-15 May

The Leadership Crucible

Entrepreneurs, CEOs: Magnetise Your Core Team to Exponentially Amplify Your Mission

A life-changing retreat for visionary leaders

As a pioneering, entrepreneurial CEO, your executive team is the number-one lever you have for creating a high-performing business that scales exponentially and lead impactful changes within your sector. 

For 2025 to be a truly breakthrough year – despite all the uncertainty – you need:

MUCH LESS:

  • Silo'd and incremental thinking
  • Dispersion & complexity
  • Mediocre accountability & ownership
  • Getting stuck in the weeds
  • Incremental thinking & slow progress

MUCH MORE:

  • Alignment and ownership
  • Focus & simplicity
  • Accountability & momentum
  • Leadership of the wider business
  • Innovation and progress

You don't need another team-building exercise or personality assessment.

You don't need to replace all your team with "better people".

You do need to step up your leadership game and definitively raise the standards and mindset of your top leadership team.

Welcome to The Leadership Crucible, where you will not only forge an unbreakable inner circle but also gain the tools to unlock exponential growth, drive unparalleled commitment from your team, and amplify your mission like never before.

If you’d like to make 2025 the year that you draw out more commitment, engagement and innovation from your core team, then join our Rivendell community of wildly successful, visionary CEOs for 48 hours that will permanently change your future.

  • You’ll permanently raise the standards for yourself and for your team, underpinned by your commitment to a goal that truly matters.
  • You'll design the three pivotal elements of your unique Leadership Crucible and leave with a simple plan to deploy them in your leadership team.

Who should attend

This retreat is exclusively for pioneering CEOs and visionary entrepreneurs driving bold change. Only those ready to lead at a higher level and inspire unparalleled results need apply.


The retreat will be a great fit if you are:

  • Championing a bold, expansive vision for yourself and your organisation.
  • Committed to making huge progress – even if it's uncomfortable.
  • Looking to learn from inspiring peers who are equally ambitious and forward-thinking.

What to expect

In this transformative 48-hour retreat, you’ll engage in carefully designed sessions that blend strategy, leadership, and personal transformation. Here’s what awaits you at The Leadership Crucible:

Kickstart Session

Before the retreat, engage in an optional invigorating group call that paves the path for the empowering journey ahead. This session is curated to ensure you embark on this programme with clarity and vigour.

Peer Group Interactions

Step into the world of our elite Rivendell community, where you’ll meet highly-successful maverick leaders running substantial, impactful businesses. Iron sharpens iron, and sparks will fly as you engage on a deep level with these inspiring individuals.

Exponential Strategic Thinking

We'll guide you through the process of building your unique Leadership Crucible – a high-stakes, high-flame environment where you forge your executive team into the next-level leaders you need them to be to deliver your 10X goals.


And we'll push you to think bigger than ever about what is possible for them – and for you. A single change in perspective and your future can be much closer than you think!

Immediate, Lasting Impact

You’ll leave with breakthroughs in your leadership approach, practical tools to magnetise your team to your vision, and a renewed sense of clarity and purpose to achieve your most ambitious goals.

Deep Leadership Coaching

The retreat is much more than a strategic exercise. It’s a deep, experiential leadership experience. You’ll go deeper into yourself than you’ve ever been, so that you become the leader you need to be to magnetise your team and raise the bar on their performance.

Rest and fun

Breakthroughs come in the chat, the relationships and the space to simply think. We make time for all of that, too.

An exceptional experience

Rivendell retreats are transformative environments that have been the catalyst for top leaders who lead some of the world’s most innovative, impactful organisations. Here, you don’t just strategise; you become the leader who will deliver your next-level goals.

What do CEOs and industry leaders say about their experience with Rivendell? Here’s how it’s helped them achieve exponential growth and transformation.

Everyone in the group is extremely successful and at the top of their game. I could write a whole essay about my learning from those few hours that we had last week!

RIVENDELL PARTICIPANT

Clarified my mission

I recommend Rivendell for leaders who are conscious, thoughtful and want to do something big and important in this world. It gave me the breathing room I needed to contemplate the future, clarify my mission, and get clear on my purpose. With Richard's guidance and the group support I’ve created new strategies for achieving my objectives.

Chintan Panchal

A fantastic opportunity

It was fantastic to get the input of other highly experienced leaders, and I learned a lot about myself through the process. Rivendell is a safe space where you can be honest and open about the issues you're facing. It gave me the opportunity to question my values and motivations, and learn how to approach situations in a more strategic, powerful way.

Danny Keating

Produces exponential impact

Rivendell has helped me in two big ways. I’m able to get qualified input from experienced people on my toughest business challenges. And it's has pushed me to get a much clearer picture on my strategy and my goals. I've had so many practical insights about my business, to solve specific problems that I can't discuss with with many people. And I've got a much clearer picture on my strategy and my goals. I would recommend Rivendell to senior leaders who want to make 10X impact instead of incremental impact.

David Engel

Space to think and to grow

Rivendell is an environment where everyone is ready to go deep from the outset. It’s inspiring to spend time with ambitious peers who want to get better and learn as much as they can about themselves and others. Rivendell has given me space to think, be challenged, and process all of this. I’d recommend the experience to leaders who are feeling stuck or lonely and want to grow.

Steve Rowbotham

Inspired insight and long-term transformation

Working with Richard has been inspiring—he has a gift for drawing out valuable insights and helping leaders see long-term. I’ve come away from the last Rivendell retreat with a totally different approach to operating in my business, thanks to the exercises he led and his ability to create a deep and meaningful space for transformation.

Alexandre Dufour

A real depth

I have found the Rivendell experience to be incredibly valuable to help me reflect on who I am as a leader and how I can improve the use of my skills and capabilities, and it's given me the opportunity to interface with other CEOs. We've had a fabulous time sharing experiences with each other, and I'm learning a tremendous amount, not only from Richard but also through the individuals in the Rivendell program. There’s a level of depth that frankly I haven't gotten in any other program that I've been involved in. 

Scott Puopolo

Challenged me to drive growth and ambition

Richard challenged me to really get out of my comfort zone, think long and hard about what gets in my way, and focus on what I really should be doing—driving growth, ambition, and the future direction of the organisation. This Rivendell retreat has given me the energy, drive, and ambition to come away to actually deliver on the promises you make to yourself as a leader.

Chris Barnes

Brought clarity and a strategic vision for growth

During the Rivendell retreat last week I gained clarity, a strategic plan, and a clear description of the attitude needed to succeed. He helped me bring together all the different pieces into a long-term vision and identify key opportunities for growth. Highly recommended for any top leader approaching an important moment in their professional journey or facing some significant decisions within their organisation.

Christopher Traggio

Incredible calibre of people

Rivendell is a really fulfilling experience. I've done quite a few different professional development events, but the thing that really stood out to me here is the intermingling of personal and professional development. I have a notebook full of new ideas! The calibre of the other participants has been humbling and it feels like a privilege to really be among such an esteemed group of people and peers.

Kelly Manthey

Safe environment for "eureka" moments

If you've got a spark of curiosity, and you want to learn, and you're open minded enough to put yourself in an environment where you're exposed to those new opportunities, then Rivendell is ideal for you. It's a very safe environment to experience those "eureka" moments. I've enjoyed engaging with other business leaders, learning from them and helping them develop... and being coached by Richard throughout. And I've found some significant business development opportunities in speaking with other members!

Bob B.

A life-changing opportunity

Initially I wondered how I could contribute to such an advanced group. However, it's been a transformative experience that far exceeded my expectations... an extraordinary opportunity to engage with CEOs at the pinnacle of their respective fields and committed to making a positive global impact. The beautiful retreat location was the perfect backdrop for reflection and breakthrough thinking. Rivendell has been pivotal in reshaping my leadership and has profoundly influenced my thoughts on amplifying my impact. I'd recommend it to any CEO who is eager to explore new ways of leading. It’s a life-changing opportunity to connect, grow, and reset the bar.

Abe Klassen

Another league

The recent Rivendell retreat has been the most exciting two days of my life: I've gained so much self insight, as well as insight from others who've gone through similar things to me. Thanks to the coaching from Richard, it has been a tremendously, tremendously positive and exciting experience. What I've experienced [in Rivendell] is another league compared with programmes I've experienced before.

Mikael Sandberg

Brought clarity, challenge, and ambition

This last retreat has changed my perspectives, given me challenge, and been a lot of fun. Most of all, my thought process on the journey that I am on—and that we are on—is crisper, cleaner, and more ambitious than ever before. If you're on a journey with a destination that you believe is transformative for your industry, sector or yourself, you’ll come out with a clarity of thought and energy that will be magnified.

Nick Hale

We’re executing a bigger vision

Rivendell has really opened my eyes to what is truly possible for the business, and now my team and I are in execution mode delivering on that.

Rivendell member

On another level

Rivendell is on another level compared with my local YPO group!

Rivendell Participant

Sharpened my thinking

Rivendell has really helped me sharpen what I think is our distinctive value proposition. It's energised me to think about the coming months as we're looking at our growth plans. It's rare to get to speak in an in a way that's off the record, professional, but also very collaborative with executives who've led a variety of businesses, and to be able to work through challenges that are not easy to voice in other contexts.

Talal D.

7 figures of value

Last week at the retreat with Rivendell I got really a clear path to massively impact the work that we've been doing. We've been implementing changes even this week and can already see seven digits worth of value being added to the business from some decisions that came out of that time away.

Toby Alcock

An unbelievable gathering

An unbelievable gathering of peers (founders and CEOs). Thanks to the guidance, the methodology and Richard's creativity, we went deep and addressed our common challenges. I strongly recommend Rivendell to any CEO who wants to become a better leader for their team and their family.

Armand A.

A 48-hour deep dive into leadership & strategy

The retreat will be held 13-15 May 2025. Here’s a high-level overview..

Day 1: Challenge

Tuesday 13th May

  • 2pm-6pm: Immersion! We’re going to take you very deep, very fast. Be ready to be challenged and pushed beyond your comfort zone.
  • 7pm: Informal evening of connection and fun.

Day 2: Stretch

Wednesday 14th May

  • 9-5pm: Strap in! This is where the rubber hits the road. Get ready for a powerful day where we'll provoke your ideas, mess with your thinking, and challenge your limiting beliefs.
  • 7pm: Dinner: You will be our guest at the Rivendell dinner, where there’ll be a few surprises in store!

Day 3: Action

Thursday 15th May

  • 9am-12pm: Final session and action planning.
  • 12pm-2pm: Optional lunch and debriefing.
  • Plan to depart no earlier than 12pm. To maintain the energy and focus of the event, you will not be admitted into the final session if you need to leave before 12pm.

Venue

We’ll be staying at the Thorbjørnrud Hotell in the beautiful town of Jevnaker, Norway, right on the coast of the Randsfjorden and within easy reach of Oslo. It’s the perfect place to step back, rethink and become the magnetic leader who can deliver on your most audacious goals.

Reserve your place today

There are just 12 spaces at the Rivendell “Leadership Crucible” Retreat. Spaces are reserved for members of the Rivendell community, with a limited number available for extraordinary leaders ready to experience this transformative environment for the first time.

So, if you’re ready to join other visionary leaders who are setting the pace for the next generation of industry innovation, here’s how to register:

  1. Purchase your spot using the form below
  2. Fill in a brief onboarding questionnaire
  3. We’ll get you everything you need to magnetise your people to your mission

Any questions? Reach out to us for a private conversation about whether it's a good fit for you.

Note: If for any reason we determine that you’re not a fit for this elite group of leaders, you will be refunded in full within 72 hours of your application. Also, please note that travel and accommodation costs are at your expense.

“The Leadership Crucible”

2025 Rivendell Retreat

CORE

The core experience.

FULL PRICE: 7500€

March Early Bird:

4000€

  • Core Retreat Programme
  • Kickstart Session
VIP

The ultimate experience.

FULL PRICE: 10 000€

March Early Bird:

7000€

  • Everything in STARTER
  • 1:1 pre-retreat session with Richard to focus intentions and goals.
  • VIP afternoon and dinner with Richard on Day 3 for intensely personal strategising and coaching
  • 1:1 post-retreat session with Richard to maximise the value of your insights
RIVENDELL

Join the Rivendell community for continuous growth and transformation.

Prices exclude VAT where applicable. Prices will increase at the end of March.

Meet your guide

Richard Medcalf
Founder

Richard Medcalf describes himself as "what you get if you were to put a McKinsey consultant, a slightly unorthodox pastor and Freddie Mercury into a blender!"

Richard is the trusted advisor to elite CEOs and founders facing The 10X Reckoning—the moment they realise they’re stuck in their current success, playing too small, or moving too slow on their vision.

His 1:1 clients include billion-dollar CEOs, tech unicorn founders, an Entrepreneur of the Year, and an Olympic medallist—leaders determined to break out of incremental progress and create their life’s greatest work.

He’s the author of Making TIME For Strategy and the upcoming The 10X Reckoning, and has an insatiable love for spicy food and the electric guitar.

Learn more about Richard...

Don’t wait until you’re ready

“Ready” will never come.” Raise your hand. Say yes. Fly…

“Come to the edge,” he said.

“We can’t, we’re afraid!” they responded.

“Come to the edge,” he said.

“We can’t, We will fall!” they responded.

“Come to the edge,” he said.

And so they came.

And he pushed them.

And they flew.”


– Guillaume Apollinaire

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