A Corporate Offsite Through the Lens of a Working Mother, Manager, and New Joiner
Last year, I attended a corporate offsite—my first with the new business division my department joined four months ago. On paper, it was just another event in the corporate calendar. In reality, it was a juggling act, a moment of quiet anticipation, and ultimately, a surprisingly affirming experience.
In this post I am sharing about the experience from the perspectives of the different hats I was wearing with regard to this event and what it taught me.
The Mom in Me: Navigating the Logistics Storm
Attending an offsite as a working mother means tearing up the weekly routine playbook. Our usual rhythm within the family —school drop-offs, evening dinners, bedtime stories — had to be renegotiated. That meant:
- Re-coordinating the morning and evening logistics with my husband (it helps when it was already pencilled down in the annual plan)
- Communicating the changes clearly to my kids
- Delegating tasks I typically manage
- Handling mixed emotions from my children, especially around what I would be missing
No matter how seamless the plan, there’s always an effort and emotional cost in disrupting our family’s rhythm. But I’ve learned that modeling adaptability and openness to new experiences matters just as much as consistency.
The New Joiner in Me: Walking Into the Unknown
This was my first offsite with a mostly Japanese division. Despite having worked in this Japanese multinational company, I have not had much contact to this division. I wasn’t sure how much English would be spoken, what their workplace culture would feel like, or even what to expect from the venue they had chosen. I showed up with a healthy dose of apprehension and curiosity.
What I discovered:
- More colleagues spoke English than I expected & my Japanese went further than I thought
- There was genuine interest and curiosity about my department’s and team’s work
- I learned more about Japanese business etiquette and the subtle nuances of high-context communication
- I even picked up a new skill during the team bonding activity: chopstick making!
Uncertainty breeds insight when you show up with an open mind.
The Manager in Me: Leading by Example
Attending was recommended but not mandatory. For me, it wasn’t optional—it was essential. As a manager, I saw three clear responsibilities:
- Set a precedent for my team by showing up
- Network not just for personal gain, but to advocate for my team and its value
- Absorb insights from our new organizational setting, executive leadership, and workplace culture, and bring them back to my team
In a high-context culture like Japan, showing your face, expressing genuine interest, and building relationships in person is key. These aren’t just niceties—they’re strategic acts that impact trust, inclusion, and collaboration down the line.
Why Offsites Matter (Even the Voluntary Ones)
Corporate offsites might feel optional, but here’s why I encourage you to attend—even when logistics at home feel complicated and the destination and group of people feels foreign:
- You will learn something new, whether it’s cultural context, business insights, or even a hands-on skill
- You’ll walk away with at least one new connection
- You’ll grow more comfortable with the unknown—and trust me, there’s power in that
- You’ll demonstrate adaptability, leadership, and engagement—not just to your colleagues, but to yourself and your family
As working mothers, we’re constantly balancing, negotiating, and adapting. But every now and then, stepping outside your comfort zone reminds you that you’re not just surviving—you’re thriving.
