The economy has been in a slump. Budgets are tight, and usually the first things to go are retreats, outside training, and staff development. However, in my opinion, those things need to stay as top priorities in the budget, and here are 5 reasons why.
1. Your team needs a better foundation of trust.
If trust is one of the foundational components of any team, why is so little time spend on building trust among team mates? Sure, there are some quick and simple ways to build trust with your team, but nothing builds trust like an intentional team building retreat.
The retreat doesn’t have to be a long, drawn-out process, but you should consider some kind of multi-day event to really solidify the trust and camaraderie within your group.
2. You need to cast (or re-cast) your vision.
Keeping your vision in front of your team is important. It’s easy to think that everyone gets your vision and that you’ve communicated it enough. Chances are, you either need to remind people of the overall vision, or re-cast the vision for new people.
Building vision-casting into a team building experience can go a long way to not only having people buying into the vision, but they also begin to take ownership of it. Use some brainstorming sessions to create a space to share the vision and how your group will accomplish it.
3. Your team morale needs boosting.
It’s easy to get sucked into the monotony and the hum-drum of work and life. Creating space for your team to bond and reflect on the good things happening, as well as dream about more good things to come can really boost the team morale.
There are ways to implement spirit-boosting activities throughout the year, but consider the impact a retreat would have on you and your team. What could you accomplish in a few short days as a team – not by working them to the bone on the retreat, but by getting away and…
Reflecting.
Renewing.
Retreating.
Remembering.
What better way to connect with your team and be able to serve them as a leader and guide than to help them experience a new aspect of what it means to work and function together in a totally different setting?
4. Communication needs improvement.
The art of communication is at the core of any solid relationship. It doesn’t matter how good the communication is, there is always room for improvement. Team building retreats can be a great way to improve your team’s communication skills.
Participating in team building activities can help uncover communication issues, as well as help in solving breakdown problems, and finding solutions that will work long-term.
5. Team cohesiveness needs upgrading.
As trust and communication issues build up, so does the team cohesiveness. Team members get more and more segregated. As you improve trust and communication, though, your team starts to bond together and issues begin to diminish.
Done the right way, a team building retreat can serve to work on all three of these problems. Teams can design activities to build trust, work on communication, and increase group bonding, and have fun at the same time. Be sure to set your goals first, before choosing the right team building activities. But, that’s the great thing about these kinds of exercises – you can target specific issues depending on your goals.
With all of these benefits of a team retreat, why wouldn’t you take advantage of it? Your ROI will be well worth it. Think of the fun you’ll have, the level of teamwork that will be achieved, and the way the troops will talk about you when you get back. You’ll be the hero of the office!
What other ways would a team building retreat benefit your team? Let me know in the comments below.