Why a change of scenery can change your team for the better
By Myra Marchenko
Why a change of scenery can change your team for the better
Some teams meet in conference rooms. Some teams meet in virtual hangouts. The best ones though meet on mountain trails, city streets, or sailing into the sunset.
From weekend retreats just an hour away to bucket-list journeys across the globe, traveling together flips the script on “team building.” Outside the office, titles fade, stories come out, and real connections happen.
And here’s the magic - it’s not just about working better together. Team travel fuels inspiration, sparks creativity, and reminds everyone why they actually like their coworkers.
So, what exactly can a team gain when they hit the road together?
It builds resilience
Travel often throws unexpected challenges your way - be it sudden weather changes, missed connections, or navigating unfamiliar places. Facing these situations as a team teaches flexibility and perseverance, helping everyone develop a stronger ability to bounce back from setbacks. Whether it’s solving last-minute logistics during a group trip, adapting plans due to unforeseen circumstances, or supporting each other through the unknown, these shared experiences cultivate resilience. Your team returns not just with great memories, but with strengthened resolve and confidence in overcoming future challenges together.
It strengthens relationships
Beyond resilience, travel brings people closer. Stepping into new environments nudges us out of our comfort zones and reveals our authentic selves. While showing the person behind the professional façade can feel daunting, those moments of honesty and connection often become the foundation for lasting workplace relationships.
It reconnects you with nature
Science shows that time spent in nature boosts physical health, emotional wellbeing, and even team morale. Many professionals suffer from “nature deficit disorder,” and forward-thinking governments from the UK to Japan now include outdoor time in public wellbeing policies. Experiencing fresh air, scenic views, and natural beauty together strengthens not only individuals but the entire team.
It encourages teamwork
Group travel often includes activities - whether games, challenges, or problem-solving tasks - that sharpen teamwork skills. Teams learn to draw on one another’s strengths, collaborate effectively, and achieve common goals. Back in the office, these skills translate into faster, more efficient work processes.
It fuels creativity
A change of scenery stimulates fresh thinking. Navigating an unfamiliar place or overcoming a language barrier forces teams to think on their feet, adapt quickly, and create solutions together. These collaborative problem-solving skills and newfound perspectives will stick with your team long after the trip ends.
Ready to take your team out of the office and into an experience that can truly inspire them?
Team journeys are ultimately about people, not itineraries. Whether it’s a simple retreat or a bigger adventure, stepping outside the everyday opens space for more than just rest. It can deepen cultural understanding, inspire new perspectives, and even shed light on how a team works together. Often, these moments away from the desk become shared stories and stronger connections — the kind that last long after the trip itself.
Don’t know where to start? We’re here to help.