By now, it’s no secret that the pandemic transformed the working world as we know it. Those of us who were fortunate enough to remain in the workforce had to adapt to working from home. We’ve been stretched in new ways, from child and pet care to making tough team decisions as personal life and workplace roles shifted.
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By now, it’s no secret that the pandemic transformed the working world as we know it. Those of us who were fortunate enough to remain in the workforce had to adapt to working from home. We’ve been stretched in new ways, from child and pet care to making tough team decisions as personal life and workplace roles shifted.
We adapted, as humans do, and now we are being asked to adjust again. The return to the office is causing many to feel increased pressure; we find ourselves in foreign territory, feeling a loss of confidence in our work and social interactions. Do we still shake hands? How do I balance my time now that I’ve become accustomed to a new routine?
For many, the pandemic brought changes in staffing, and many colleagues haven’t met face-to-face. Companies are looking for ways to help bridge this unfamiliarity, but it’s time to think beyond video sharing. That’s where team-building spa retreats come in.
Defining a Team Building Spa Retreat
Simply put, a team building spa retreat is an opportunity for companies to gather outside of their typical meeting space and participate in a few days of organic bonding through organized wellness activities and spa treatments, all with the goal of becoming a stronger team. By elevating an ordinary meeting or social outing with mindfulness and well-being as the focus, groups can identify their team’s strengths and challenges and work together for positive change.
How Do Team Building Retreats Help?
Teamwork: This year, a Zippia survey found that companies that promote collaboration and communication at work can reduce employee turnover rates by 50%. Additionally, 86% of employees in leadership positions blame lack of collaboration as the top reason for workplace failures.
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For team members who haven’t met in person just yet, effective collaboration and open communication can take some time to develop. Team building spa retreats help speed up this process by encouraging cooperation, team building and problem solving through activities that help form relationships in unique ways.
Friendships: A study by Gallup found that employees who have a friend at work are seven times as likely to be engaged in their jobs, are better at engaging customers, produce higher quality work, have better well-being and are less likely to get injured on the job. Team building spa retreats give employees the dedicated time needed to form lasting ties, effectively increasing overall well-being and boosting morale within the company.
Company culture: Culture is key to the success of a company and the happiness of its employees. A 2019 Glassdoor survey found that 77% of adults would consider a company’s culture before applying for a job, and 65% say it’s one of the main reasons for staying in their job.
Team building spa retreats can help reestablish company culture during the return to the office transition and reinforce it by focusing on openness, prioritizing mental well-being and fostering good communication. Teams can take the lessons they learned on the retreat and apply them to their corporate values, helping to reinforce empathetic company culture.
What Does a Team Building Retreat Look Like?
Miraval Resorts & Spas have wellness destinations located in Arizona, Texas and Massachusetts, and we have seen a significant increase in groups requesting team building retreats, with many expressing their genuine desire to be seen as people first, not just colleagues. Companies are moving toward a new mindset to strengthen their work relationships and focus on building trust.
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In response to this increased interest, we created a Leadership Fulfillment Journey and 10 other intention-based pathways that offer a compassion-oriented alternative to the conventional corporate retreat. During a team building retreat, colleagues learn about balance and choice by immersing themselves in transformational wellness offerings that help challenge the beliefs they hold about themselves.
For example, in Miraval Austin’s new Challenge Course, trained guides lead guests through a three-tiered challenge course with six unique activities that promote self-awareness, communication and personal revelations. Through teamwork and trust, participants intuitively complete the course and report feeling supported and a sense of equanimity. They often find that they work better when they complete tasks as an organic and cohesive team.
Another journey takes guests on a gastronomic adventure with culinary programming. Cuisine and mixology offerings invite camaraderie by providing groups with an interactive space for exploring epicurean interests and gaining insights into recipes. Participants are encouraged to share stories of gratitude and beloved recipes, inspiring groups to rekindle their relationship with food and connect across the table.
The Bottom Line
By showing their employees support and offering team building spa retreats for bonding and building company culture, companies can create an easier transition back to the office and show their employees that they genuinely care about them.
When a company comes to you to book a team building spa retreat, the goal should always be to foster connection between colleagues, build trust and reinforce the key pillars and values of the company. Above all, programming can create personal moments and mutual inspiration by exploring new spaces together as compassionate individuals elevating their personal and professional well-being.
