How to Build a Corporate Retreat Team

Building a corporate retreat team may seem to be a difficult task, but it can be simple. This team is the same as any other; each member will have specific roles that contribute. The three necessary roles for a corporate retreat team are the tour guide, the conflict specialist and a team leader. If your corporate group is large, support staff and two of each roles may be required. When doubling up on a certain staff type, choose different styles. Two conflict specialists with different approaches will give a variety of solutions when faced with a problem. The purpose of the corporate retreat is not team building, but team bonding. The team can build itself in the corporate environment by meeting and beating expectations.

Instructions

1. Find a good tour guide. This is a person who loves the outdoors and knows about wild animals. The purpose of this specialist is to create an opportunity for the corporate team to bond. Nature is good for establishing a peaceful environment and encouraging trust. Tour guides will take advantage of this. In sharing his or her love of the wilderness, the tour guide will set the mood for the retreat. Once the corporate team is distracted from their jobs, the goal is to create memorable experiences for bonding. Knowledge of animals can help create an added benefit of spotting a deer drinking from a body of water or other wildlife in their normal routines.

2. Find a conflict specialist to squash the negative Nancy. The best individuals at this usually have a master's in psychology or sociology. Retired law enforcement is also excellent for this role, but not the average officer. These individuals should be so understanding and laid back that nobody believes them when they say, "I used to be a cop." Keep in mind that a corporate retreat is planned out to be the opposite of the work environment. Conflicts should not be resolved by saying, "Let's be professional." Interrupting with a joke or something fun and creative is a popular contrast to workplace etiquette. This individual will be able to liven things up.

3. Choose someone for the team leader. This individual will need to take control away from the corporate lead. The only reason the retreat team needs this individual is to keep the manager from managing his or her people on the retreat. This can be a difficult task if the manager has good social skills. The retreat team leader will often need to communicate there is a role reversal during the retreat. Make sure the team lead is someone who can treat corporate leaders the same as the rest of the members while on the retreat.

Tips & Warnings

• You may want to enlist individuals outside of your work team for these roles.