🎒 Microlesson

🪞 Reflect

When was the last time you saw your team in person? 

💡 Concept

Anyone who’s been part of a thriving distributed team knows that you can build a positive culture and develop meaningful relationships using virtual tools. 

But there’s also evidence that connection is amplified by spending time together in person: according to Atlassian, connection grows by 27% when people come together for regular in-person gatherings, and that positive impact lasts for four to five months. 

To maximize the benefits of in-person gatherings with your team, make sure you take the following steps: 

Focus on Relationship Building

The majority of the time you spend together should be spent on developing connections, which is the most challenging communication type to practice asynchronously. Face-to-face interactions humanize remote colleagues, strengthening interpersonal bonds and trust. Shared experiences during retreats or gatherings create a foundation for effective virtual collaboration. 

Boost Team Morale and Engagement

In-person gatherings offer opportunities for team members to feel valued and recognized for their contributions. Social activities and informal conversations outside work sessions contribute to a positive team culture and increased morale.

Create a Regular Cadence for Gatherings 

By strategically integrating in-person retreats or gatherings into your remote or hybrid team’s schedule, you can leverage the unique benefits of face-to-face interactions while maintaining the flexibility and efficiency of virtual work environments. This balanced approach enhances overall team effectiveness and contributes to a resilient and cohesive team culture.

For examples of how distributed companies approach retreats, look at Doist, Atlassian, and Zillow.

🎬 Take Action

Evaluate your team’s current approach to in-person gatherings or retreats. Identify areas where incorporating or enhancing face-to-face interactions could benefit team dynamics and productivity:

• Initiate discussions with team members about their experiences and preferences regarding in-person meetings.

• Plan a quarterly or bi-annual retreat to build relationships, foster team cohesion, and celebrate achievements. 

• Introduce structured activities or workshops during gatherings to maximize collaboration and creativity among team members.

• Solicit feedback from team members after each retreat to continuously improve future gatherings and ensure they meet team expectations.

🧠 Keep Learning

Learn more about creating rituals for team connection in Leadplaceless.

✅ Check In

🎁Learn with your team!

Refer our weekly microlessons to your team members to learn as a group! Just follow the instructions in the section below to get started.