A Staff Spotlight from a Trust Drum Circles Retreat Experience
Corporate retreats and functions are designed with the best of intentions: to strengthen employee relationships, improve communication, develop skills, and restore morale, yet many fall short with packed schedules and activities that leave little room for genuine human connection or rejuvenation.
At a recent staff retreat for the Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio, Trust Drum Circles demonstrated what it looks like when connection is treated as the goal rather than a byproduct. Through an interactive drum circle centered on shared rhythm, the experience replaced forced participation with collective engagement. Human Resources Manager Melissa Pace noted an immediate boost in morale, sparked in part by Executive Director Maseh Nchang’s facilitation.
“What stood out to me most was Maseh’s energy,” Pace said. “It’s truly next level. His passion for what he does really shines through.”
From Packed Agendas to Shared Presence
With Girl Scout staff spread across Northeast Ohio, opportunities for in-person connection are hard to find. Pace said the drum circle offered a rare pause from structured programming and a chance to be fully present without pressure to perform or even speak.
“I truly feel it supported staff connection, boosted morale, and fostered team-building,” Pace explained. “This session provided a fun and interactive way for some of us to engage in person.”
As participants synchronized rhythms and responded to one another in real time, something shifted. Collaboration was intuitive and natural.
When Connection Isn’t Forced, It Forms Naturally
Unlike traditional team-building exercises that rely on discussion, competition, or extroverted personalities, the drum circle removed many of the barriers that often hold people back.
“As we worked together to create music, it fostered a sense of unity and teamwork that went beyond words,” Pace said. “It was refreshing to see colleagues come together in such a positive environment.”
Without roles to play or expectations to meet, the staff were free to listen, respond, and contribute at their own pace, which created a space for organic connection to emerge.
Beyond Roles and Titles
One of the most valuable aspects of the experience was its inclusivity.
The drum circle, “help[ed] break down barriers by offering a nonverbal form of expression,” she said. “People can connect on a deeper level, regardless of roles or titles, and that sense of inclusivity really matters.”
The shared act of creating rhythm together built a sense of unity and accomplishment for everyone.
What Teams Carry Back With Them
Trust Drum Circles’ corporate retreats and workshops are designed to strengthen teams through shared experience. By encouraging collaboration, communication, and stress relief in real time, drum circles cultivate collective achievement through intuitive, individual contributions.
For organizations seeking retreats that deliver more than good intentions, experiences like these offer a moment teams can feel and carry with them long after the retreat ends.
Interested in booking a corporate event or retreat with Trust Drum Circles?
Contact: maseh@trustdrumcircles.org | (614) 216-8026
