How to overcome the eight potential pitfalls of working and socializing
according to the Gallup poll in 2012, being part of a friendly work environment can not only make your time in the office more enjoyable - all close friends in the workplace can improve your job satisfaction and make you more efficient. However, it's not always easy to understand social field merging at work: when developing office friendships and communicating with colleagues, there are many hypothetical things to do and not to do. When you want to associate with your colleagues, you don't want to cross the border. With this in mind, here are eight social situations you may face in the workplace and expert advice on how to deal with each situation as professionally as possible.
Credit: nd3000 / Adobe stock Credit: sondem / Adobe stock Credit: ajkkafe / iStock / Getty Images. Turn office friendships into after work friendships. Maybe you get along well with your colleagues. You want to hang out after work. While it's a bit awkward to meet colleagues at the friend level in essence, it's ultimately natural to do so by building a strong friendship during the day, "Delaney said. "When you work closely, your friendship grows, you find common interests, create internal jokes, and build on the initial rapport," he said. When you find yourself talking about shared interests, use this opportunity to invite your colleagues to join in activities outside of your work. "Whether it's a hike, a visit to an art gallery or just having a good time, it's OK to try water. read more : 15 tips to make work and life more balanced read more: 14 exercises to counteract the effects of sitting all day. Credit: alex.pin/adobe stock Credits: vadymvdrobot / Adobe stock Credit: Michael Jung / Adobe stock read more : 8 ways to sound more professional immediately 1. Adding a colleague to social media, while LinkedIn's requests are entirely benign, and requesting Facebook friendships or tracking colleagues on instagram may be more worrying because these platforms blur the line between your professional life and your personal life. For this reason, career coach Laura Simms said, you only have time to take this step after you have established a close personal relationship with colleagues outside the office - for example, you hang out at each other's homes, meet important people, don't see each other as "friends at work", but "Friends of friends." Otherwise, she said, "it's too easy for your college partner to post an embarrassing photo, offend your politics, or annoy your frequent cat." The potential risk is greater than the potential return. "
2. Nowadays, many companies support drinking beer in the office, such as providing alcoholic drinks in the kitchen or putting a rolling bar cart in a cubicle. While wine, wine and beer can flow freely, it's not always easy to know when (or if) you should attend. Chris Delaney, a career coach and author of the 73 rules that affect interviews, suggests an open bar as a way to celebrate rather than having a drink alone. For example, offer a drink to a colleague to mark his birthday. Use this time to build rapport, build friendships, and increase your affinity. "In this way, you won't be seen as a lush person in the office, but as someone who makes others feel special." Now listen to me: Marie forleo shared her secret to avoid burnout Indulge in company activities, especially at work gatherings outside the office, usually when your colleagues (and superiors) are at work. It's going to disappoint their guards. You want to be a team member, but you don't want to embarrass yourself. So, if your boss wants to buy a round of bullets, will you participate? " A cup means you are a social, fun, team player. "More than one cup means you're more likely to say or do something stupid and become the fodder for the rumor factory," Sims said. If you want to have a really relaxing night, play with people who don't sign your paycheck. " Delaney agrees, noting that the old "work hard, play hard" mentality is outdated. Nowadays, employees have to pay attention to their own steps in the workplace, because reputation is the key to enhance their career, and the lack of professionalism will affect your position. "He suggests staying awake than drunken colleagues: if everyone is drinking more, make sure you drink less than they do.
5. Take the relationship with colleagues to a new level. In some cases, office friendship can develop into romance, which always brings some tough challenges. The most important advice, says therapist Juan Santos, is to stick to professional scripts during working hours for your reputation. You don't want to be the star of the office gossip factory, or let others question your integrity, especially when you start dating someone higher than you. (of course, you can flirt as much as you like after you leave the office.) If you decide to formalize it, be sure to tell the human resources department and your supervisor about it, he said. While maintaining your privacy may seem like a good option, it's not the best one. "Those in charge shouldn't get your relationship through the grapevine - they should get it from you." Make friends with interns and you will meet the most unexpected people. But even if you two know each other well, you shouldn't be with your interns. This kind of friendship may call into question your professionalism and leadership, and it will keep you from being taken seriously by those who work for you - and those above. Instead, use your affinity to build a coaching relationship. " "Coaching can help new employees grow quickly, and friendship can naturally grow from this experience," Delaney said. From the employee's point of view, coaching will give you a professional image. It helps to be respected and seen as a professional when you need to exercise your authority. "
7. How much time do we spend in the office these days making personal calls at work - technology keeps itHow easy it is to communicate constantly - your work life and real life may overlap in the form of making personal phone calls and texting friends at work. Julie Austin, a career coach and author of "the garden of money: how to seed a lifetime's income," says it shouldn't be a big deal to answer or make an emergency call, such as to a doctor or a nanny, but it's a bit surprising to keep chatting at your desk. Especially if you're arguing with a cable company in the ear of your co-workers, or if everyone around you is trying to concentrate, you're continuing with last weekend's prison break. " As an employer, as long as a person's work is finished and does not disturb others, I can chat with him. So if you need to call your college roommate to celebrate your birthday or make a statement, be sure to go outside.
8. One of the simplest and most inconspicuous ways to discuss typing with colleagues on gchat is instant messaging. You look like you're taking notes or working, but you're really interested in an ongoing meeting or deciding where to go for lunch. While it's great to be close to colleagues, one of the main ways you don't want your information to get out of hand is to use it as a stage for small talk and complaining. When you type, it's easy to get carried away by words, which will eventually hurt you. " Research shows that people often complain about the lack of professionalism of office gossip, "said Dennis limongello, a licensed psychiatrist and relationship expert. Even if everyone seems to be complaining, "avoiding office gossip is an effective way to gain respect and affection."
What do you think? Do you agree with the tips on how to overcome these pitfalls? What is your social experience at work? Share your story in the comments!
