What a Weekend Together Did for Our Everyday Work

“Do you even talk this much at the office?” That question, asked mid-bus ride by someone who’s usually the quietest in meetings, set the tone for what was about to unfold.

We set out for Sakleshpur with travel plans. What unfolded was a chance to see one another in a completely new light.

From Colleagues to Co-conspirators

The day began with music, coffee, and the awkward realization that most of us only knew each other through work threads. By the time we reached Mookanana Resort, that awkwardness had melted into shared playlists, inside jokes, and debates about who packed the best snacks.

Lunch was followed by games. Archery, kayaking, foosball—suddenly, the "spreadsheet expert" was aiming arrows like a pro, while the "PowerPoint ninja" was fumbling with a paddle and laughing louder than anyone.

What started as light-hearted fun turned into something meaningful that revealed qualities we hadn’t noticed before.

We saw confidence emerge in unexpected places. Creativity surfaced in those who usually keep a low profile and someone who had never spoken up in a meeting naturally stepped into a leadership role.

Trekking Past Job Titles

The next morning’s coffee estate trek brought a different kind of energy. The trail was steep, the air was thin, yet, no one complained.

Instead:

“You okay back there?”

“Need a hand?”

“Wait, wait—look at that view.”

They were genuine moments of care, thoughtful pauses, shared awareness, and a natural rhythm of moving forward together.

Somehow, that hike mirrored the workplace: we moved better when we moved as one.

Waterfalls, Conversations, and the Human Behind the Role

At Mookana Mane Waterfalls, some stepped into the stream with excitement, while others took in the view quietly. Each response reflected a different kind of presence and both added richness to the shared experience. Later, over dinner, conversations flowed with a warmth that only time and openness can bring.

What began as a round of dumb charades gradually unfolded into genuine connection, stories surfaced, conversations deepened, and colleagues began discovering the people behind the roles. One team member summed it up well: "For the first time, I saw the person beyond the role and it changed the way I understand our work together."

What We Took Home (Besides Tan Lines and Group Selfies)

We returned with more than tired legs and photo reels. We came back with context. With stories behind names. With trust that didn’t have to be earned again and again—it had been built quietly, in conversations by the pool and shared struggles on the trail.

Back at work, things feel different. There’s more patience in meetings, willingness to help, more laughter, yes and also more understanding. Because when people are seen for who they are along with what they do, teams move from cooperation to connection.