Why Offsites Matter: Consultant Takeaways from Time Away Together

What curling, cold water, and a shared dinner can teach about consulting

Last week, our business unit had an overnight offsite—a much-needed break from client work and daily routines. We tried curling (way harder than it looks!), relaxed in the sauna, braved a dip into a frozen lake, and wrapped up the evening with a great dinner. My team even managed to take second place in the curling tournament.

But while the event was full of fun moments, it was also a great reminder of something deeper: why offsites matter. Not just for morale, but for learning, growth, wellbeing, and building stronger teams. In consulting, where projects and roles can change quickly, these moments outside the office walls can make a real difference.

So here’s my case for why you should take the next offsite seriously—and what you can take away from it as a consultant.

1. Communication Is Everything

Curling is all about real-time feedback, clear roles, and jointly agreed tactics. Sound familiar? Whether you’re in a client workshop, sprint planning session, or project steering group, your ability to communicate clearly, actively listen, and align quickly makes all the difference. Miscommunication—even in a friendly game—can send everything sliding in the wrong direction.

2. Teamwork Beats Individual Talent

No one wins a curling match solo—and the same is true for consulting. What made it more interesting was that curling was a new experience for nearly everyone, putting us all on equal footing and forcing us to collaborate closely. The best teams don’t rely on one star player—they lift each other up, share responsibility, and adapt together. That’s exactly what good consulting teams do.

3. Embrace Discomfort

Would everyone normally choose to plunge into a frozen lake? Probably not. But stepping outside your comfort zone builds resilience—and that’s one of the most important soft skills in consulting. Projects change, priorities shift, and challenges emerge. The more comfortable you are with discomfort, the more adaptable and confident you’ll be when things get unpredictable.

4. Drop the Titles, Strengthen the Bonds

At an offsite, job titles fade. Whether you’re a senior manager or a new hire, everyone’s just part of the team when you’re laughing about your curling throw or chatting in the sauna. Especially in relatively flat hierarchies like we often have in Finland, this kind of informal setting builds genuine trust and human connection—which carries over into everyday work. These are the bonds that make future collaboration smoother and more meaningful.

5. Real Face Time Sparks Creativity

Remote work is efficient—but there’s something about in-person time that unlocks new thinking. Casual conversations over dinner, shared laughs during team games, and spontaneous chats during sauna breaks often lead to insights and connections that don’t happen in scheduled calls. And it’s not just about team bonding—it’s about creative energy and real engagement.

6. Rest Is Part of the Job

Consulting is demanding. Long hours, shifting priorities, and complex client needs take a toll. Personally, I’ve embraced a 4-day workweek to help maintain energy and focus. Events like these are a great reminder that recovery isn’t optional—it’s essential. Rested consultants think more clearly, collaborate more effectively, and bring better energy to clients.

7. Connect with People You Don’t Normally Work With

Offsites are one of the few moments when you get to have real conversations with colleagues outside your usual circle—those in other business units, teams, projects, roles, and locations. These conversations are often where unexpected insights and new collaboration ideas come from. It’s also just refreshing to hear how others approach challenges and what they’re working on.

Final Thoughts

Whether it’s curling or bowling, it’s often the “extra” stuff—time together, outside the usual context—that strengthens teams in ways no formal process ever could.

💡 Let me know what’s been most valuable for you at business unit or team events—or what’s made you think differently about your own consulting journey.

Best regards,

Eetu Niemi

IT Consulting Career Hub