In a world that rarely slows down, taking a break can feel like a luxury. But last weekend, our team pressed pause — and it turned out to be one of the most meaningful things we’ve done this year.
We spent a few restorative days in Motier, a peaceful lakeside village nestled in the French-speaking part of Switzerland. It was a time to disconnect from screens and schedules, and reconnect with ourselves and one another. What followed was a weekend of laughter, stillness, movement, reflection, and a shared sense of calm.
Why We Do This Every Year at Kitoko People
At Kitoko People, we believe that building a strong team culture goes far beyond meetings, deadlines, and daily tasks. That’s why we make it a priority to organise a team retreat every year — a few days away from the office where we reconnect not through work, but through presence, shared experiences, and conversation.
This isn’t just a nice-to-have. It’s a deliberate part of how we work.
As our team grows — including more people from younger generations like Gen Z — we’re reminded that the expectations around work culture have evolved. Gen Z values authenticity, flexibility, mental wellbeing, and community. They want to be part of teams that care not only about what they produce, but how they work together and how they feel doing it.
These retreats reflect those values. They offer:
- Real human connection, outside of Slack threads and meeting agendas
- Space for reflection, which supports emotional balance and creativity
- Time for rest, which is essential to long-term performance and wellbeing
- Moments of shared responsibility, like cooking or organising activities, where leadership is informal and everyone contributes equally
By setting aside time to be together without pressure or expectations, we create an environment where trust and collaboration can grow naturally — not just top-down, but across generations and roles.
This is part of the reason we do this every year. Because in a hybrid, fast-moving world, intentionally slowing down together is a long-term investment in our people, culture, and shared direction.
Why Motier?
Motier is a small, serene town in the Canton of Fribourg, surrounded by vineyards and perched right on the shores of Lake Murten. It was the perfect setting for what we needed — space to slow down, breathe, and reset. This gave us room to reconnect in a more human way — not as colleagues trying to solve problems, but as people sharing moments.
With clear skies, fresh air, and just the right distance from urban life, it gave us the perfect setting to relax — without having to go far.
Why Team Retreats Matter
Taking time away from the usual work environment isn’t just a nice extra — it has real value. Retreats like this create space for connection, reflection, and alignment in ways that office routines or video calls often can’t.
Here’s why these trips are worth doing:
- They improve communication. When people spend time together outside of structured meetings, conversations flow more naturally. This builds trust, which translates into better collaboration back at work.
- They strengthen team culture. Shared experiences — whether it’s cooking a meal, going for a swim, or solving a disagreement over a card game — create bonds that reinforce a healthy team dynamic.
- They offer perspective. Stepping away helps reset priorities. It allows people to reflect not only on work but on how they’re working — what’s helping, what’s draining, and what could be done differently.
- They support wellbeing. Rest and mental space aren’t luxuries. They’re essential to sustainable work. A short break helps prevent burnout and gives people a chance to recharge.
- They boost morale. A team that feels appreciated and connected is more motivated, engaged, and resilient.
In short, investing time in each other outside of day-to-day tasks is not a break from progress — it’s part of it.
How We Spent Our Time (Fun activities)
What made the weekend special wasn’t what we did — it was how we felt while doing it. Still, here are a few highlights that defined our time:
- Morning runs
For the early risers in the group, each day began with a peaceful run along the quiet roads near the lake. With vineyards on one side and water on the other, it was the perfect setting to clear the mind and set the tone for the day.