A company retreat is a pre-planned event that can last a day to a week (or longer). As part of the event, employees will participate in team building activities that can help them relax and have fun, engage with others, and learn how to identify effective problem-solving techniques.
Company retreats also allow employees to be involved in a life-changing experience while promoting a stronger connection between employees. Some studies indicate that teams who participate in company retreats report improved communication, partnership, and rapport with other members of the team.
Company Retreats: How They Can Improve Employee Morale
Below are some of the ways company retreats can boost employee morale:
Collaboration
Company retreats can include brainstorming sessions that can help team leaders, managers, and team members analyze how they work together as a team. Company retreats also encourage and give everyone an opportunity to express their ideas, engage with others, and build personal connections with team members.
Communication
Company retreats provide an opportunity for all the members of the team to brainstorm and interact, improving team communication in the process. Effective team communication is an asset that can serve the company in the long run. Great communication can also help in the creation of a better work culture.
Reshaping the “Them and Us” Philosophy
Some companies or organizations have a “them and us” culture. This is especially evident in times of burden and stress. For instance, many managers observe a divide across teams caused by busy workflows.
This culture can also occur when senior leaders that are expected to motivate the rest of the workforce are barely visible to the people in the lower hierarchy. When not addressed, this can cause division between teams. A corporate retreat can be an effective venue to address these issues.
Benefits of Company Retreats: Real-Life Example
David Nothacker, chief executive of Sennder (a German logistics company valued at over $1 billion), organized a two-week trip to Sicily for his colleagues. The company retreat included fun team building activities, workshops, and relaxation.
Mr. Nothacker emphasized the role company retreats play in making employees feel supported. He also believes that feeling appreciated and supported is crucial in avoiding work fatigue.
With retention becoming a huge problem especially for many start-ups, company retreats have been a life-saver. If the average tenure of each employee can be extended for at least a couple of months, whatever investment they have in the employee will eventually pay itself off as finding a replacement can be costly.
The Correlation Between Company Retreats and Enhanced Morale
During company retreats, managers of remote teams are given coaching and exercises that can help improve their communication and management skills. With more people working from home, retreats have become a great tool and a strategic resource in the establishment of culture and the building of solid relationships within the organization.
Moreover, company retreats can also strengthen the sense of support from senior management and the company. This approach has been known to significantly revitalize the joy, enthusiasm, and excitement of employees for each of their work roles. Aside from boosting morale, company retreats can also help critical performers enhance and develop their skills and attributes.
This in return can help them do better in their roles within the organization and can help the organization reach its objectives. Companies and organizations are also better off once employees return from their company retreat as they often come back more excited, productive, and engaged. Lastly, with so much going on in the corporate setting and the world in general, having the time to rest, relax, and have fun can prove invaluable.