The Benefits of Leadership Offsites for Remote-Only Teams: A Recipe

In recent years, the world of work has been worried about what happens to teams when people work remotely. What happens to those famous “watercooler conversations”? 

To be honest, water cooler conversations have always freaked me out. I can’t help but imagine someone crouched by the watercooler waiting to pounce on the next person seeking hydration for unsolicited smalltalk. But that image aside, how to maintain team connection in a day and age when remote work is a new reality is a big issue. This issue needs to be addressed in two ways: 

1. Finding ways to make room for connection online and

2. Creating safe spaces to connect in person.

While both online and in-person connections can and should be arranged on a recurring  basis, a lot of remote teams miss out on one of the biggest catalysts for team connection and strategic alignment: leadership offsites. Offsites describe a conscious 2-3 day time away from the hustle and bustle of the operation in which a team  gets together in person. 

Most people think offsites are the same as company retreats and image teams getting together to bake pizza and bond over melted cheese and personal conversations. While I’m all in favour of joint Italian flavours, offsites are about so much more. 

They can be filled with highly efficient deep work, team building, strategy development, conflict resolution and a joint experience of a very different kind of decision-making.  Here's what makes them so beneficial, particularly for hybrid or remote teams:

1. Discussion Digestive: Use Leadership Offsites to Resolve Challenges

Remote work can lead to unresolved issues. From mutual resentment about answering times to misunderstandings. Offsites provide a forum for addressing challenges directly. Especially the kind that nobody can name but everyone can feel. Open discussions, face-to-face interactions and an excellent design (you know, the kind we orchestrate at Let’s Work Magic - wink wink) can turn spoken and unspoken tensions into the fuel for team cohesion.

2. Relationship Ragu: Use Leadership Offsites to Build Trust

Remote work can sometimes lead to feelings of isolation and disconnect among team members. Offsites offer a chance for face-to-face interactions, which are crucial for building trust and camaraderie. These in-person connections can significantly improve communication and collaboration when the team returns to their remote work settings.

3. Communication Cocktails: Use Leadership Offsites to Efficiently Collaborate Cross-Functionally

Offsites create a space for open and honest communication. Team members can discuss challenges, provide feedback, and brainstorm ideas in a more dynamic and engaging environment. This face-to-face interaction helps to break down silos and encourages cross-functional collaboration.

4. Motivation Menu: Use Leadership Offsites to Boost Morale

A change of scenery and the opportunity to engage in team-building boosts morale and motivation. While our offsites at Let’s Work Magic always include activities that are designed to be fun and engaging, it’s also having the important conversations that you never have time for  that help to re-energise the team and foster a positive work culture. As countless pieces of research show, renewed energy and enthusiasm automatically translates into increased productivity and job satisfaction. 

5. Pizza & Priorities: Use Leadership Offsites to Align on What Really Matters

During an offsite, leadership teams can finally take the time to ensure that everyone is on the same page regarding the company’s goals and priorities. This alignment is crucial for ensuring that all team members are working towards the same objectives and that resources are being used effectively. Clear communication of goals and priorities helps to avoid misunderstandings and ensures that everyone is working towards the same end result.

So, as the world of remote work continues to expand, let’s remember the power of coming together, even if only for a few days at a time. Watercooler conversations are so 90s. Time to replace them with something more impactful—a few days in an inspiring location away from the everyday grind where important conversations happen, meaningful connections are forged, strategic visions are aligned, and the foundation for future success is laid. 

And if you need help designing your next offsite, let’s talk about it. Leadership offsites just happen to be our thing.