transformative teams

Team Summit

One of the cornerstones in our culture building internally has been our Team Summits.

UpperCloud Summits have started since the year of our inception and have continued to evolve in great ways over time. Originally created out of the necessity of balancing remote work, it created an opportunity for the team to connect in a physical space. Often times when we are in the daily patterns of moving and building, we are only able to see a few dimensions of our team. We have taken the idea of a get-together into building with intention and takeaways. With its ongoing success internally, we’ve also shared and curated these experiences for our clients as a service typically as a value-add into the campaigns we are working on in conjunction.

Task

The Summit assists in creating a greater depth of understanding of one another as well as the organization's mission. In a world of creativity, empathy is at the core of all of the work we do. It can be a great way for your team to get to know each other better. It can also be an opportunity for employees to learn new skills and receive training. Additionally, a company retreat can be a good opportunity for employees to relax and recharge, which can improve morale and productivity.

The Summit is best done with a minimum of 2-3 nights at a destination where possible. You can achieve this in a single day, however we risk missing the conversations in between.

Theme

A lead is elected and a theme is established to guide the creation of the Summit for the group.

Building Activities

Varying group activities, ice breakers, workshops, presentations, and reflective excercises are weaved into the itnerary.

Sharing

Teams are given opportunities to share the results of their activities with each other as a group, pair, or one's self.

Reflection

Closing circles with gratitude and forward looking excercises.

A lead within the organization is charged with determining the guiding theme that will be the focus of the Summit. Themes can vary depending on the objectives. Here are some of our past themes as examples.

Spring 2022

Defining Culture

Winter 2020

Creative Expert Workshops

Spring 2016

Making Connections

These activities are designed to increase team cohesiveness, which is the sense of unity and togetherness within the organization. There are four main activities that are built into each Summit with at least one activity from each category. Team members can also be charged with contributing and leading activities to create a more participatory Summit held by all stakeholders.

Group Activity

There are varying activities that can span from icebreakers, brainstorming sessions, breakouts, outdoor hikes, meditation, and so much more. It’s important to utilize physical collaboration among peers.

Small Teams

Working in small teams or pairs offers another level of connection and collaboration, especially when paired with an objective that is deeply connected with them. Pair activities can range from 1-on-1 conversations, critical feedback, cooking, and interviews for example. We’re able to achieve a better sense of each other while building deeper relationships.

Centering

Often in work environments, teams are constantly at service to the organization’s goals and mission at hand. Centering creates time for improv bonding, relaxing, conversations outside of work, or even exploring new spaces together. This builds shared memories and greater foundational understanding of your team members.

Reflection

Gathering the team throughout the experience and inviting reflective prompts allows space to look and feel inward among peers. In closing especially, this practice is critical in transitioning from Summit and integrating back into the workspace.

Sharing is an essential aspect of communication, and it is important for building relationships, fostering understanding, and promoting transparency and collaboration. By sharing with others, individuals can improve their communication and create deeper and more meaningful connections.