Making the most of virtual retreats

Are you adapting your team retreat to a virtual setting? Here are 3 tips for success:

1: Have fun! Create a virtual space that feels different from the daily routine.

If your retreat feels just like a really long work meeting, your team is going to leave feeling even more drained, when you actually want them to leave feeling reconnected and reenergized.  

Figure out ways to change it up and signal to your team that you’re creating a different kind of virtual space together. 

• Start with fun icebreakers, have everyone sign on with a funny background or filter, play Zoom games, or even tour alpaca farms together!

• Rotate facilitators frequently or hire external facilitators (like us!) so that everyone on your team can fully participate. 

• Include many different forms of engagement: make time for individual reflection, breakout groups both big and small, get creative with art supplies, mix up big picture work discussions and team-building activities, pair up people to go on walk-and-talks over the phone!

• Send each person a personalized retreat box full of their favorite snacks and any materials they’ll need for the retreat. It’s always nice to get a care package!

2: Go deep on what’s most important.

The key to a successful retreat is not falling into the temptation to do too much. We are all experiencing the very real phenomenon of Zoom fatigue, so use your on-camera time for maximum impact. 

Ask yourself: How can you use the time most effectively together? Focus on the activities and conversations your team most needs to have and aim for depth rather than breadth.

3: Take LOTS of breaks!

Take 5 minutes off-screen every hour, and make sure you have long blocks of time between activities, especially for lunchtime. Build in self-care activities. Give people time to rest and take care of themselves and their loved ones.