When COVID-19 first appeared in early 2020, we could not predict how it would modify our ways of life. It was impossible to know which solutions and quick fixes would stick and which would be temporary.
Five years later, we can now see that the rise of remote and hybrid work has profoundly changed how we approach work and the workspace. For many companies, what we first thought to be temporary has become the new normal, and, as always, change brings its share of positive and negative impacts.
After rejoicing in the idea that we could take calls wearing pyjama bottoms, once the routine sets in, so do isolation and loneliness. Studies from before the pandemic showed that while remote work increased productivity, the downside was almost always the lack of social interactions.
It might not be evident at first, but eventually, the absence of all the micro-social interactions we used to have at the office or even on our way there and back starts to show, negatively impacting the company's team spirit. Well-being and productivity are usually next in line to take a toll.
Even if your team is not fully remote but exploring the hybrid concept, people who usually sit two desks away from each other Monday through Friday are now much less prone to meeting at the coffee machine, eating lunch together, or simply crossing paths.
Remote or not, COVID-19 has impacted all of us in one way or another. For most people, it has been a time of high anxiety and stress, as well as deep reflection on meaning and balance. When they returned to the office, many people started questioning the meaning of their tasks and organization. Many quit their jobs and moved on to new projects and dreams.
Keeping the "meaning flame" alive is essential for a team to remain motivated. Doing that in a hybrid and/or remote setup via chat apps and Zoom calls is even more challenging. Team retreats are the regular "meaning shot" your employees need to be reminded of why they are here and what they are working towards together.
With greater freedom also comes greater responsibility. For everyone, employees and leaders alike. That is why we work with companies and spaces to put together unforgettable retreats that will:
In the same way that being out in the sunshine, eating good food, or exercising can boost serotonin levels, team-building activities can also increase motivation! As a team leader, you must know how to make it about the company's purpose and goals.
Trusting someone you have never met or only seen online occasionally is not always easy. However, when brought into a new environment, in nature, sharing meals, and doing activities unrelated to work, people tend to let go of the "masks," relax and even start showing vulnerability (if the retreat is well led!). That is usually when the magic happens because showing vulnerability builds trust.
Feeling like we belong to a group is a basic human need that, once fulfilled, allows us to feel more confident and creative (Maslow says it best). Zoom calls can be fun, but nothing makes you feel like part of the pack, like eating breakfasts, lunches, and dinners with your team for several days, sharing stories around the fire, climbing a mountain together, and bringing all these shared memories back home. All of this will, in time, build your company's shared history.
Building a support system will stem from the points mentioned above. Once people trust and feel like they belong, it will be much easier for them to share their struggles and ask for help without feeling like they are jeopardizing their position. That leads to resolving issues quicker and fostering healthier relationships within the team.
They may not have any business together, but if someone in accounting has a great time with someone from marketing during the retreat, great ideas might come to life much faster when the time is right!
As a team leader, retreats are a one-of-a-kind opportunity to appreciate different sides of your team members' personalities and skills. Someone who you always saw as shy might surprise you by their ability to rally everyone around them for social activities. These soft skills can be used in the office too. It is the manager's job to nurture them in the right environment.
Of course, retreats are not just about playing games outdoors. It is essential to approach the retreat with the right mindset, plan, and desired outcome. Retreats are perfect opportunities to make sure everyone in the team is aligned and understands the goals for the next period.
If your retreats are remembered as wonderful times spent together in nature, enabling connections and deep work, chances are your employees will soon see them as some of the highlights of their year. A corporate team retreat can also become a valuable way to attract and/or retain new talents. So make it count!
Last but not least, going away to a beautiful place and doing all those things together will surely result in a lot of pictures taken and stories told. People will also be more relaxed and eager to share their experiences. Why not put those to good use and take this opportunity to create valuable content for your marketing team?
Building great communication forums, efficient processes, and clear structures are necessary SOPs for any team that is going hybrid and/or remote. But that will never replace the face-to-face time we humans so desperately need to feel like we belong to something bigger than ourselves. Five years ago, "team retreats" may have sounded like a one-off extravagance; today, they have become essential to any successful team-building strategy.
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