Sommario
Discovering Our Experiential Outdoor Team Building Format
We are finally ready to begin this journey into our experiential outdoor team building formats through the stories of real case studies.
In the introductory article, we explained what inspired this new series dedicated to Team Building Natura® formats and what you can expect from the articles that follow.
We also took the opportunity to present our way of working: a well-established methodology built on a solid and effective framework that adapts to the specific needs of every project, allowing us to design unique, tailor-made experiences.
Now, we invite you to discover the first of our three Team Building Natura® formats: Natural Team Connection.
Case study
How many corporate teams belong to the same organization, share common objectives, and even collaborate on the same projects, yet have very few opportunities to meet, engage in open dialogue, and truly get to know one another?
The first case study we have chosen to illustrate the Natural Team Connection format is set within exactly this kind of scenario.
Context
The project involved nine managers from the same business unit, each responsible for a different functional area while working toward shared business objectives.
Based across different regions of Italy and frequently travelling both nationally and internationally, they all held positions of significant responsibility. Each led teams of dozens—sometimes even hundreds—of people. Every day they managed operational workflows, dealt with unexpected challenges, solved problems, made decisions, and developed plans and strategies. Fast-paced schedules, demanding agendas, and very little time to spare.
Nine different individuals, each with their own identity and leadership style, united by a genuine passion for their work.
Opportunities to meet, build relationships, and get to know one another were extremely limited. In fact, despite having worked for the same organization for several years, some of them had never met in person.
Objectives
During our initial meetings with the HR team, one priority emerged immediately.
There were no specific skills to develop, nor any critical issues that needed to be addressed. Instead, the company wanted to offer participants a meaningful opportunity to get to know one another better, strengthen relationships within the group, and create the conditions for even more effective collaboration.
The objective was not simply to organize an enjoyable day together, but to design a one-day experience capable of building new connections while strengthening existing ones.
Mutual understanding, collaboration, and team cohesion became the three pillars on which the entire project would be built.
Location
The company needed a venue that was easily accessible from its headquarters, minimizing travel time and making the most of the day available.
Among the various options considered, Cascina Miera, located within the Adelasia Regional Nature Reserve, proved to be the ideal choice.
In addition to meeting the company’s logistical requirements, Adelasia provided a natural setting perfectly aligned with the objectives of the project, creating the ideal environment to explore the themes at the heart of the team building experience.
The Team Building Natura® Proposal
Starting from the objectives defined together with the HR team, we designed an experience that would gradually guide participants from the individual dimension toward the collective one.
Our intention was to create the conditions for a group accustomed to fast-paced working environments to first slow down, shift their attention away from daily responsibilities, and fully immerse themselves in the experience. Only then did we know we would have the fertile ground needed to work effectively on mutual understanding, collaboration, and team cohesion.
This is why the experience unfolds in two distinct yet complementary phases.
Cultivating Presence and Listening
The first part of the day was designed to help participants explore a different way of relating to themselves, to others, and to the surrounding environment.
After years of practical experience in the field, we have learned that slowing down, cultivating presence, and opening ourselves to deep listening naturally broadens our perspective. It creates the conditions for people to reconnect with themselves, recognize one another, and build authentic connections.
With this in mind, we designed a series of activities engaging the body, sensory perception, and emotions. Through mindful and intentional listening, each participant had the opportunity to reconnect with their most authentic self, experiencing a new—and often unexpected—way of relating to both themselves and the people around them.
As individual and collective presence deepened, so did the level of connection within the group. Almost without noticing it, the nine participants began opening up with increasing spontaneity, sharing sensations, insights, and perspectives as they emerged throughout the experience.
Mutual Understanding, Collaboration, and Team Cohesion
The morning activities created the ideal conditions for the second part of the day.
Barriers gradually came down. Distances shortened. Judgment gave way to curiosity and a genuine desire to discover one another.
The group was now truly ready to work on the three core objectives of the team building experience: mutual understanding, collaboration, and team cohesion.
To support this process, we introduced an activity inspired by the archetype of the tribe. Our intention was to create a safe space where participants could share their stories, listen deeply to one another, and discover each other from a completely new perspective.
The group was divided into two teams, each tasked with creating its own tribe by defining its identity, context, symbols, and internal roles.
Working together on these elements gave participants the opportunity to explore each other’s personal values and individual worldviews. They shared strengths, attitudes, and behaviors, discovering how they were perceived by others while giving full expression to their creativity.
Results Achieved
The objectives defined during the design phase—mutual understanding, collaboration, and team cohesion—were fully achieved. The impressions we gathered throughout the experience were confirmed both during the final debrief and in the feedback subsequently shared by the HR team and the participants themselves.
The HR team described a group that had fully embraced the experience, demonstrating openness, genuine engagement, and a willingness to participate throughout every activity.
Participants described the team building experience as both restorative and highly valuable, highlighting how it allowed them to slow down and step away from the demands of their daily work routines.
They particularly appreciated the opportunity to discover one another from a different perspective, explore meaningful topics together, and develop new insights and ways of thinking.
They also expressed strong appreciation for our methodology, the facilitators’ expertise, and the level of engagement they were able to create throughout the day. Many confirmed that they would confidently recommend this type of experience to other colleagues.
When to Choose Natural Team Connection
Natural Team Connection is the ideal format when the primary objective is to invest in people and strengthen the quality of relationships within a team. Thanks to its flexibility, it can be adapted to a wide variety of organizational needs.
By combining experiential outdoor activities, Nature-based practices, and guided facilitation sessions, we invite participants to explore the five Team Building Natura® principles. Throughout the experience, we help them embrace their human dimension, build authentic relationships, develop both individual and collective awareness, and foster a deep sense of physical and mental wellbeing.
If you would like to learn more about this format, we invite you to visit the dedicated Natural Team Connection page or contact us to arrange an introductory call.
The Journey Continues
The case study we have shared in this article is just one of the many ways Natural Team Connection can be designed and delivered.
Every Team Building Natura® project begins with the organization’s specific needs and is always tailored to the unique characteristics of the team and the objectives to be achieved.
If this case study has sparked your interest, we invite you to continue exploring our experiential outdoor team building formats and discover more about our methodology by reading the other articles in this series.
- Team Building Natura®: Three Real Case Studies to Explore Our Formats
- Team Building Natura®: The Nature Inspired Learning Format
- Team Building Natura®: The Growing Path
