When it comes to company retreats, there’s always a bit of a debate about which is better (or even necessary): team building or team bonding. We of course love both, and we don’t think you should have to choose between the two. It’s more about implementing them correctly into your company retreat.
What’s the difference between team building and team bonding?
What is Team Building?
Team building focuses more on skills development within, and as, a team. Think of it as functional strengthening.
Team building exercises typically target communication, leadership, problem-solving, and collaboration skills. These activities are designed to get employees working together like a well-oiled machine. The activities might include challenges like problem-solving puzzles, obstacle courses, or tasks that require collaboration to succeed. Our resort offers team-building exercises led by experts in leadership development—so your team can grow and have some fun doing it. And no, nobody’s allowed to escape these with just a half-hearted high five.
How Team Building Adds to a Company Retreat
At its core, team building activities develop crucial workplace skills. They get people out of their usual day-to-day roles and encourage them to think creatively, solve problems together, and become stronger leaders. Plus, everyone gets to step away from their computers (and, let’s face it, those never-ending emails) and actually see how working together can make life easier.
In short, it transforms your office’s “oh no, another Zoom call” attitude into “hey, we can actually accomplish a lot together!”
Team building also helps leaders spot emerging talent—your quietest team member might just be a brilliant strategist, who knew? And with our resort’s leadership development facilitators, you’ll have access to expert insights and guidance to ensure these activities translate into real-world results back at the office.
What is Team Bonding?
Now, on to the fun part: team bonding. Team bonding is all about relationship-building. Unlike team building, team bonding isn’t as goal oriented. This is more about getting your team to loosen up, laugh a little, and just enjoy each other’s company.
Bonding activities are the office water cooler moments, but in a more scenic, non-fluorescent-light-filled setting. Think of it like a giant “Get to Know Each Other” session, minus the awkward name tags. Here, your team gets to connect as humans rather than just coworkers, building trust and camaraderie.
Team bonding activities can range from bonfire s’mores nights, kayaking on the lake, or even a friendly (or not-so-friendly) round of trivia. At our Northern Minnesota resort, we make sure team bonding is built into the retreat agenda—whether it’s through outdoor activities or simply time spent enjoying the beautiful views.
How Team Bonding Adds to a Company Retreat
Sometimes, all your team needs is to let loose and bond without any pressure of meeting deadlines or “aligning on strategy” (yawn). Team bonding strengthens personal relationships, making people more likely to trust one another when it comes time to collaborate on actual work.
Bonding creates a sense of shared experience that office life rarely provides. Plus, bonding experiences are where memories are made. Those hilarious stories from your canoe adventure are the ones your team will still be talking about months after the retreat. And trust us, that kind of lasting camaraderie is priceless in the workplace.
How to Properly Incorporate Team Building and Team Bonding into a Company Retreat
Do you need to pick one or the other? Absolutely not. We believe that the best company retreats are the ones that balance both team building and team bonding. It’s kind of like eating a balanced meal.
Here’s how we’d recommend incorporating both:
- Start with Team Bonding: kick off your retreat with something lighthearted. Whether it’s a bonfire or a friendly outdoor scavenger hunt, this helps to break the ice. People are more willing to work together after they’ve shared a laugh or two (and maybe some s’mores).
- Shift to Team Building: once your team has loosened up, bring in the more structured activities. This is where you can tackle the leadership development and strategic planning exercises that brought you here in the first place. The bonding that’s already happened will help make these more productive.
- End with Bonding: After a day or two of intense team building, allow your team to unwind. Activities like kayaking, hiking, or just chilling by the lake give everyone a chance to reflect on the retreat—and cement those new bonds in a relaxed atmosphere.
Remember, it’s all about balance. You can’t be “on” 100% of the time, and your team will appreciate a retreat that gives them room to grow professionally and personally.
Build, Bond, Repeat
A successful company retreat involves team building and team bonding, as each plays an important role in strengthening your team. At Sugar Lake Lodge, we blend both into your retreat so that you get the best of both worlds. When you’re surrounded by the natural beauty of the Northwoods, it’s hard not to feel like you’re bonding with everyone and everything.
Come for the retreat, stay for the camaraderie, and leave with a team that’s stronger, more unified, and ready to take on the world (at least for the next fiscal year).