5 Signs Your Team Needs to Meet Physically

We all love remote work. It’s literally the only great thing we got from the COVID year. You get to attend meetings in your pyjamas, avoid Lagos traffic, and pretend your Wi-Fi is bad when you need a break (yes, we know all the tricks). 

But even the most committed remote team needs to admit it sometimes: Zoom/Teams fatigue is real. At some point, you’ll realize that “Can you see my screen?” just doesn’t cut it anymore.

If your team has been running on emojis/reactions and Slack threads for months, here are five undeniable signs that it’s time to meet in person.

1. Every Meeting Feels Like Déjà Vu

If your weekly stand-up sounds exactly like last week’s (“We’re still waiting for client feedback…”), it’s not just the project; it’s the energy. Physical meetings break that loop. A simple brainstorming session in the same room can spark ideas that no amount of screen sharing will ever achieve.

At One Haven, we’ve seen teams who arrived with zero direction leave with full creative plans, just from having space to move, talk, and think together.

2. The Team Group Chat Is Too Quiet

Remember when your team used to drop random memes or funny weekend stories? If now it’s just work updates and awkward emojis, the connection might be fading. Real-life hangouts over coffee, a shared meal, or late-night gist can help restore that easy flow of conversation that keeps teams human, not robotic.

One Haven was literally built for this: think cozy living areas, a big dining area for shared meals, and enough corners for private gist or deep conversations.

3. You’re Starting to Forget What People Look Like

If you can’t remember whether Femi from design has a beard or not, it’s time. Video calls flatten people into squares; physical meetings bring back body language, laughter, and those random side comments that build true chemistry.

A weekend together at One Haven reminds everyone that the team isn’t just a collection of profile pictures. They’re real people, with personalities.

4. Collaboration Feels Stuck

Remote work can make problem-solving slower. That “let’s just hop on a quick call” energy doesn’t always translate. When you meet physically, ideas flow faster. You can scribble on whiteboards, act out concepts, argue, laugh and suddenly, what seemed impossible gets done in hours.

One Haven’s spacious work area and creative ambience make it easy to get into that zone where collaboration actually feels fun again.

5. The Team Needs a Win or a Breather

Sometimes, the signs aren’t about productivity at all. Maybe everyone’s just tired. A team retreat isn’t just for strategy; it’s for recovery. A chance to rest, bond, and reset so you all return stronger.

Whether it’s a 2-day offsite or a week-long retreat, One Haven offers the calm, comfort, and creativity your team needs to reconnect with the work and with each other.

Work-from-home isn’t going anywhere, but every great team knows when it’s time to log off and link up. Those few days spent in the same space can rebuild trust, spark new ideas, and remind everyone why your team works so well together in the first place.

So if you’re seeing the signs, take the hint! It’s time to meet. And when you do, make it somewhere worth the trip. Make it One Haven, where teams come to work, bond, and feel like a team again.