Reminiscing Outbound experiences

Recently one of my teammates reminded all of us about a team outing that we had a year back triggering thoughts of reflection and reminiscing those days spent in an informal setting. It was a pleasant experience to be away from the routine and have some me time for everyone. In fact, some of the team members were attending such an offsite for the first time in their careers. They were surely ecstatic in the moment. As I gathered those thoughts, I was tempted to paraphrase the impact of the overall experience.

Having experienced the alchemy of offsites as a participant as well as an organizer on multiple occasions, I was surely convinced that planning such an event would be helpful for my diverse team that was spread across the country to be more effective. The format of the event was very similar to the typical activity based experiential programs revolving around the Leadership Behaviors prioritized by our organization. It was 2.5 days packed with some fun activities and some reflection time for everyone as individuals and for all of us as a team as well.?

If I reflect on some of the thoughts that I have always been hearing since we came back from the offsite a year ago, these are some of the key insights which have clearly emerged from what I hear and observe within the team.

• Break from the routine?

All of us once in a while need a break from the rigmarole of life. Be it professional or personal. Facilitating such an occasion by the manager/organization definitely makes an impact. It's a pleasant surprise for everyone, and all employees appreciate such an opportunity from deep within.

• Much needed me time for introspection and reflection (Self-Discovery)

If planned well and thoughtfully, such occasions can be avenues which provide all of us with the much needed solo time/me time and help in reflecting and introspecting both our life goals as well as professional goals and situations. We hardly get any quite time in the hustle bustle of the cities. Mornings in the outdoors are really soothing and thought provoking for sure.

• Better understanding of self and colleagues?

Many times such reflective and detached opportunities act as a catalyst for enhancing our understanding about ourselves, our situation and our colleagues as well. Interacting with known colleagues in a different setting or interaction with colleagues with whom we don't work very closely, definitely leads to newer insights and discoveries for sure. Be prepared to have some pleasant surprises in this space.

• Unfolding mysteries

All of us at times have a perception of individuals in our minds. Spending times like these with our colleagues results in surprises as well. It is highly likely that you will discover a different side of individuals, maybe a hidden talent, skill or something which you have never known about the individual. Such discoveries help in changing perceptions and breaking stereotypes about people and knowing a different side of individuals resulting in strong informal connections between individuals.?

• Team bonding and collaboration

Many times, these kind of occasions with a lot of reflection, introspection and interaction with colleagues in an informal setup, foster empathy between colleagues and help in becoming more appreciative of each other’s challenges. Especially when teams work together on newer tasks in an unknown or unpredictable environment.?

• Communication

Better understanding about each other and more acceptance of each other's perspective helps in communication becoming more smooth and free flowing. Many of the challenging issues and matters get resolved very fluidly with minimal friction or conflict.?

• Personal & team development?

Self awareness and acceptance are the key ingredients of self as well as team development. If the awareness levels are high and there is acceptance of the reality for what it is, there is bound to be an evolution within individuals or teams. The quantum of development would be higher for those acting upon the insights derived due to the elevated awareness and acceptance.

• Alignment of purpose and goals?

Many times such reflective opportunities facilitated appropriately, also help in creating better alignment within our personal life goals and the professional goals. It further helps the team to understand each other better resulting in better alignment of team goals as well.

• Fun & laughter guaranteed??

This of course is one of the key ingredients that is always guaranteed. Everyone is always left with amazing fun moments to cherish and nurture. With our stressful work lives, all of us definitely deserve some lighter moments to destress and moments which will be equally catalytic for laughter, even if those are remembered after ages.

Summarily, in my view such experiences are definitely worth reminiscing and all of us should experience it. As organizations, leaders, managers and teams, it is all the more important that we create opportunities for having such outbound experiences once a while and maximize the benefits it would generate.

I am tempted to thank all of those who have been a part of such experiences with me and also to those who have facilitated creating such an experience. Don't forget to mention a reference to our outbound experience together in the comments section.

If you have been part of any such outbound experiences, don't forget to mention what you value the most in the comments.

#success #reflection #outbound #offsites #leadershipdevelopment #experientiallearning #exploreself