When it comes to building genuine connection in your team, few activities go as deep as the Lifeline exercise. It’s one of the most powerful sessions we include at our Inspire team retreats – and it works because it gets people to share who they truly are.

In just a few minutes, team members go from colleagues to humans who understand each other’s highs, lows and everything in between.

What the Lifeline exercise looks like

The concept is simple but incredibly effective. Each person maps out their life on a timeline, showing positive and negative experiences from birth to now. It’s a visual reflection of the moments that shaped them – the highs that fuelled growth and the challenges that built resilience.

After creating their own Lifeline, every team member takes around four minutes to share their journey with the group. The goal isn’t comparison – it’s understanding. Everyone has a story worth hearing.

Why the Lifeline exercise builds trust fast

The Lifeline on retreats activity works because it creates instant empathy. You see what your teammates have experienced, what motivates them and what they value most.

It’s one of the fastest ways for a group to move from surface-level connection to genuine trust. When people share their stories openly, barriers disappear and the team becomes stronger.

We’ve found that this single exercise has done more to bond our team than any other activity at a retreat.

How to bring Lifeline into your next team retreat

You don’t need a large team or a big budget to make it work. All you need is a few hours, a safe environment and a willingness to be open.

If you’re running a retreat for your firm, include the Lifeline exercise as a key session. It’s perfect for small accounting teams where trust, empathy and communication drive performance.

Give everyone a few minutes to share their story – and watch your team connection grow stronger in front of your eyes.

Learn how I pulled off a great retreat for my team based in the Philippines from our previous blog: Manila Christmas Party Surprise: Creating a Stronger Team.