As a team of seven spread across four different states, maintaining strong connections and team culture is paramount. Initially, I considered meeting each person individually for catch-up sessions in person. However, I soon realised that fostering these connections shouldn’t be limited to one-on-one interactions; it’s about all of us connecting with each other.
This realisation sparked the idea of a team retreat. At first, I had reservations about whether everyone would be on board, but I was pleasantly surprised by the team’s immediate enthusiasm and engagement. Here’s how we made it happen.
To begin, we needed to determine the timing and location for our retreat. I identified three suitable timeframes, spanning from Thursday to Sunday, between then and the end of the year. After some consideration, we settled on South East Queensland as the ideal destination.
During our subsequent team meeting, we synchronised our schedules and quickly reached a consensus on the weekend that worked best for everyone. Mount Tamborine was chosen as our location. Remarkably, within just 10 minutes of discussion on that Wednesday, we confirmed both the date and the location. By the end of the week, all team members travelling from out of state had their flights booked, and our plans were set in motion!
Planning the retreat involved several key aspects, such as securing suitable accommodation to accommodate all of us, coordinating everyone’s arrival and transfers, defining the retreat’s purpose, and organising activities and dining options.
The primary objective of our retreat was to foster connections and enhance team culture, so all our activities revolved around this. We collectively decided on the activities, which included a bush walk, exploring the charms of Mount Tamborine, visits to local wineries and distilleries, and some games and craft activities.
To facilitate these plans, we ordered mosaics and canvases online, arranged for caterers to prepare our dinners, and organised a full-day Mount Tamborine tour that included stops at local shops, galleries, wineries, a distillery, and a scenic lookout.
Laughter echoed through our days as we explored nature, ventured into expressing ourselves through art, and nurtured deeper connections with each other. Our time together was a blend of rich conversations, exceptional food and wine, deep belly laughs, and stunning nature.
It was an incredible experience that brought us closer, fostering a sense of unity that goes beyond the workplace, and strengthening our team culture beyond measure. We laughed, learned, and leaned on each other, creating memories that will stay with us for a long time.
So, where to next? There’s overwhelming support for another retreat next year and the possibilities are as exciting as they are endless. As we look ahead to the future, we’re already brainstorming about new destinations and fresh adventures. Whether it’s another escape to nature, a cultural immersion, or an exploration of new horizons, one fact remains unwavering: our team is dedicated to establishing these retreats as a treasured tradition, and a symbol of unity and inspiration in the years to come.
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