Expanding possibility: The power of company retreats
At WONE, we believe that building a team capable of creating extraordinary impact requires a different approach. Our mission is ambitious - to reduce stress in 100 million lives - and we know that the scale of this challenge demands bold thinking and an unparalleled team culture.
To achieve this, we host an annual team retreat - intentionally different from a conventional work offsite. These gatherings are designed to help us live and breathe our values, step out of the everyday, and co-create a better future aligned with our mission. The retreat represents a new way of working - one that prioritises authentic human connection, intentional thinking, and creativity. It’s a reminder that taking time to ‘retreat’ from our day to day work isn’t just good for our wellbeing; it’s essential for building high-performing, passionate teams.
Our retreats are an extension of our mission – a commitment to leading by example by developing a healthier, more intentional way of working. By stepping away from the day-to-day, we create space to connect and co-create, demonstrating that high performing teams are built on recovery, purpose, and authentic connection. We hope our blueprint for the future of work inspires others and, little by little, we end the stress epidemic, together.
Isabelle Pitman, VP of People and Operations, WONE
Held in the breathtaking natural setting of Quinta da Conceição, this year’s retreat provided space for deep thinking, connection, and rejuvenation. We split our time equally between strategy workshops, wellbeing activities, and free time, all with the goal of deepening our understanding of a new model of working - one that can serve as a blueprint for others inspired to do the same.
Connection: The Heart of Everything
At its core, our retreat was about connection - connecting with ourselves, with each other, with nature, and with WONE’s mission. Inspired by the words of Thich Nhat Hanh, “We are all connected. When you touch one thing, you are touching everything,” we designed the retreat to deepen our relationships and align us as a team.
This connection was cultivated through shared team-led experiences like yoga under the morning sun, a cacao ceremony that invited us to open our hearts, and an art class that encouraged creativity and self-expression. These weren’t just one of moments, they were intentionally designed to weave our values together and cultivate an environment where we could connect on a deeper, more human level. These also weren’t just enjoyable, they were essential - science tells us that our interpersonal relationships are the greatest predictor of happiness.
One team member reflected, “The retreat wasn’t just an opportunity to spend time together – it was about creating a space where we could be our most authentic selves, free from pretense, and deeply understand one another on a human level. I left with a profound sense of belonging and gratitude for the incredible people at WONE, and a renewed appreciation for the strength that comes from genuine connection.”
Creativity: Stepping Beyond the Comfort Zone
Creativity flourishes when we step outside our routines and broaden our perspectives, and this year’s retreat created space for bold thinking and inspiration. We embraced Robert Henri’s perspective: “The object isn’t to make art, it’s to be in that wonderful state which makes art inevitable.” From a breathwork session under the stars and moon that released mental and physical blockages to a nature intentions walk through the surrounding cork forests, the retreat offered opportunities to tap into our inner creative potential.
Activities like sound baths and an invigorating HIIT workout pushed us to challenge ourselves, go outside our comfort zone and experience something new. These moments of growth reminded us that creativity isn’t just about generating ideas - it’s about the courage to explore the unknown.
One team member shared, “The retreat was a really special time to connect more deeply as people, strengthen as a team, and co-create a unique experience blending wellbeing, company strategy, and a lot of fun! I feel incredibly grateful to be a part of a company doing this.”
Commitment: Reigniting Purpose
As a team united by a bold North Star, our retreat was also about recommitting to our shared mission. Lao Tzu’s wisdom resonates deeply here: “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For us, this retreat was a vital step toward transforming the business and ensuring that our 2025 strategy is both impactful and sustainable.
Working sessions focused on aligning around our vision while embodying our core values of authenticity, subtraction, mindfulness, upstream thinking, and interdependence. Each session began with a grounding micro-moment of recovery to ensure we approached the discussions with clarity and intention.
One team member shared, “The retreat was a unique and deeply valuable time for the team to come together, strengthen our connections with one another, and galvanise around what’s next for WONE. It’s amazing what you can achieve in two days when everyone is aligned, and day-to-day distractions are removed.”
A Blueprint for a Better Way
We’re entering a totally new future of work where AI agents will work alongside humans. This demands rethinking the way we work to cultivate environments that prioritise human connection, potential and expanding possibility. It’s no longer acceptable to be working in environments where burning out and operating at 20% of our true potential due to long working hours, stressful working environments and relentless demands is the norm. Business success will be dictated by those who commit to invest in their people and create work environments that allow them to thrive.
Our retreat reaffirmed that achieving big goals requires creating the conditions for teams to thrive. By intentionally embedding our values and prioritising connection, creativity, and commitment, we’ve demonstrated that cultivating the right team environment is not just a luxury - it’s a necessity. Through a curated retreat environment grounded in mindfulness, collaboration, and authenticity, we leave inspired and aligned to tackle what’s ahead. For those inspired by our approach, consider these words from Carl Jung: “The privilege of a lifetime is to become who you truly are.” Let’s design workplaces where expanding human and team possibilities are not just aspirations but lived experiences.
