After many years spent working in companies, covering various roles and functions, we’ve become increasingly aware that, in organizational contexts, the human factor is truly the key to success.
Especially today, in a time marked by a rapidly evolving world, more complex and harder to interpret than ever before—full of ambiguity and uncertainty, and moving at lightning speed—the human element is critical for organizations.
Promoting and encouraging a corporate culture that truly puts people at the center—their growth, evolution, and well-being—can generate at least two significant benefits: on one hand, it can contribute to improving performance and results at the individual, team, and organizational levels; on the other, it allows us to actively participate in the evolutionary process of our species and society as a whole.
A New Vision of Corporate Team Building
These reflections, along with the skills we’ve developed over time, led us to envision a new kind of team building—one that shines an even brighter light on the inseparable connection between our human and professional sides.
Two sides of the same coin that inevitably coexist in every person, constantly influencing each other.
However, these two aspects are ones we’ve often tried to treat separately for far too long—without realizing how counterproductive, even harmful, this approach can be for both the individual and the team.
Not to mention how illogical and unnatural it is.
Because what truly distinguishes us as a species—and what separates us from machines—is precisely our human nature: the ability to feel emotions and empathy, to build relationships and deep connections in a space of trust, to give voice to our creativity, and to share our gifts in service of others.
"Traditional" Team Building
As we described in a previous article, the fundamental goal of most corporate team building is to develop interpersonal skills that help improve group performance. This is typically achieved through a range of activities that act as metaphors for corporate life and the dynamics that unfold within an organization.
Among the most common types of traditional team building activities are:
- Games focused on pure fun (like paintball);
- Conceptual games (like treasure hunts);
- Role-playing games (like murder mystery dinners or spy stories);
- Strategy games (like orienteering);
- Artistic activities (like action painting);
- Musical activities (like drum circles);
- Manual activities (like cooking class team building);
- Sports (such as sailing, rafting, or snowshoeing).
These are all valid and effective tools for creating moments of learning, growth, and connection. Each has its own potential and purpose, and offers a way to explore aspects and dynamics that are common in organizational life.
Going Even Deeper
However, for the reasons mentioned at the start of this article, we wanted to go even deeper—to fully awaken the human nature that defines us, using practices that involve the senses, emotions, presence, listening, and a transformed perception of reality.
We wanted to offer experiences that would encourage participants to first recognize themselves and others as human beings.
And then, we aimed to facilitate the transformation of insights gained during the experience into new awareness, to bring back into the workplace and support the kind of cultural change that is essential today for any successful team.
The Team Building Natura® Project
This is how, step by step, our project took shape—leading to the creation of three new nature-based team building formats that we consider truly innovative.
Innovative, because they help shift the focus inward, reconnecting the human and professional sides, and then opening up to listening to others with a new level of awareness—ultimately improving both individual and group performance.
Innovative, because we had the courage to combine arts and disciplines that are usually kept separate, but when integrated, unleash powerful potential that can lead to extraordinary results.
Learn More About Team Building Natura®
If you’d like to learn more about Team Building Natura®, visit our website and explore the various sections to discover the origins of the project, the principles behind our approach, the available formats, our vision of sustainability, and much more.
