Published on Wednesday, Oct 19, 2005
ONE GREAT thing about offices is that it is easy to get friendly with people. Being in the same profession/department/office provides a platform for people to interact at a social level. Is this important? Of course it is. It creates a sense of bonhomie and a feeling of unity that stitches the fabric of good teamwork.
We spend most of our adult lives at work; communicating with our colleagues, bosses and subordinates day in and day out. After a few years, they become an extended family of sorts. In fact, we spend more time with them than we do with our real families.
In time, we get to know every little itsy-bitsy detail - their children's names - what schools they go to, why Mr X is scared of elevators and since when Mrs Y has been lactose-intolerant. How does this help?
It helps because it does a few very interesting things - it reduces stress working with people you know well tends to do that and it reduces friction. End result? Improved teamwork and productivity.
Mingling with colleagues
Catching a few minutes of chatter over a cup of steaming coffee can often lighten the worst of moods and provide some much-needed respite from work pressures.
Socialising can also spill over into the hours after work, and office parties and team luncheons are the norm in many companies now.
Befriending colleagues and getting to know them at a personal level also establishes a sense of camaraderie, and makes you look forward to the job. Connecting with the people you work and having fun with them outside the office makes you more tolerant, adjusting and willing to help them. And they will be just as happy to return the favour.
It also gives you a chance to unburden yourself. You will have more shoulders to cry on and your raves and rants will find an audience of sympathetic ears. This, in turn, will boost morale, and build an effective team.
The catch
Yes, there is one. While making friends at work may seem like a good idea there is a hitch - the time factor. Or rather the shortage of it. With work hours getting longer and longer, any spare time is reserved for family and friends.
It is almost an unwritten rule. Moreover, the thought of mingling with the same people during work and then again after work is not really an inviting thought. `Who wants to see them on weekends too?' is the oft-repeated refrain.
You may definitely have better things to do with your time.
However, you can always spare an hour or so every week in trying to develop an informal rapport with your colleagues. Think of it as a business meeting and put your best foot forward. This is a golden opportunity to network with those who matter.
And, you never know, you may start liking them too.
When the superiors are involved...
Many companies often organise social gatherings to encourage employees to socialise. And, what if the higher-ups decide to grace the occasion? That can be a cause for concern if the employees feel that they are constantly being watched and scrutinised for faults.
It takes the fun out of the whole thing, unless - unless the bosses are able to let their hair down and take the occasion for what it is - a chance to shake a leg with some friends and have a good time. However, be that as it may, remember that after the party is done and the music stops playing, your boss is still going be your boss. So bear in mind that there are certain limits you must not cross. Mind your Ps and Qs and if you can manage that and still have a good time, you will have got it made.
We spend most of our adult lives at work; communicating with our colleagues, bosses and subordinates day in and day out. After a few years, they become an extended family of sorts. In fact, we spend more time with them than we do with our real families.
In time, we get to know every little itsy-bitsy detail - their children's names - what schools they go to, why Mr X is scared of elevators and since when Mrs Y has been lactose-intolerant. How does this help?
It helps because it does a few very interesting things - it reduces stress working with people you know well tends to do that and it reduces friction. End result? Improved teamwork and productivity.
Mingling with colleagues
Catching a few minutes of chatter over a cup of steaming coffee can often lighten the worst of moods and provide some much-needed respite from work pressures.
Socialising can also spill over into the hours after work, and office parties and team luncheons are the norm in many companies now.
Befriending colleagues and getting to know them at a personal level also establishes a sense of camaraderie, and makes you look forward to the job. Connecting with the people you work and having fun with them outside the office makes you more tolerant, adjusting and willing to help them. And they will be just as happy to return the favour.
It also gives you a chance to unburden yourself. You will have more shoulders to cry on and your raves and rants will find an audience of sympathetic ears. This, in turn, will boost morale, and build an effective team.
The catch
Yes, there is one. While making friends at work may seem like a good idea there is a hitch - the time factor. Or rather the shortage of it. With work hours getting longer and longer, any spare time is reserved for family and friends.
It is almost an unwritten rule. Moreover, the thought of mingling with the same people during work and then again after work is not really an inviting thought. `Who wants to see them on weekends too?' is the oft-repeated refrain.
You may definitely have better things to do with your time.
However, you can always spare an hour or so every week in trying to develop an informal rapport with your colleagues. Think of it as a business meeting and put your best foot forward. This is a golden opportunity to network with those who matter.
And, you never know, you may start liking them too.
When the superiors are involved...
Many companies often organise social gatherings to encourage employees to socialise. And, what if the higher-ups decide to grace the occasion? That can be a cause for concern if the employees feel that they are constantly being watched and scrutinised for faults.
It takes the fun out of the whole thing, unless - unless the bosses are able to let their hair down and take the occasion for what it is - a chance to shake a leg with some friends and have a good time. However, be that as it may, remember that after the party is done and the music stops playing, your boss is still going be your boss. So bear in mind that there are certain limits you must not cross. Mind your Ps and Qs and if you can manage that and still have a good time, you will have got it made.
PAYAL AGARWAL
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