First, I want to say that "Who would you most like to be stuck in an elevator with?" is a very dangerous question--but maybe that is the point. Some people might actually articulate their first instincts...
But in all seriousness, Rob Cross's chapter, "Building Bridges" in The Hidden Power of Social Networks, brings up an excellent point. Not knowing anything about your coworkers is not necessarily a good thing, for you or your group projects. When you have a relationship with someone, you have a deeper level of trust.
From personal experience of working with fellow students on a few club executive boards, I know that people work best together when they also play together. And "play" could range from coffee after work, to a social event on the weekend, to eating lunch in a common cubicle.
But I must admit, this chapter strikes me as slightly silly. It basically contains a manual on how to be social. There is usually always at least one person who is more than willing (and generally does to an annoying level) to facilitate social interactivity. But do people even need that? All a work place really needs is the water cooler. Don't you find it to be a great stress release to find someone to complain about your boss to? You shouldn't have to fill out an information card--that is like entering high school again.
Although, everyone could trade info cards at the water cooler as if they were baseball cards. Or they could play games with them. OR...they could burn them all and sing campfire songs. Singing is great for breaking the ice.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I do agree with you that it's silly to force conversation. However, another point to this is what if someone new has just entered a position in a new company? and plan to stay there for a long time? I think mandatory company parties would be an event that can further help establish connections. Otherwise how likely would the youngest member of a company interact outside of work with the oldest?
I do agree with you that it's silly to force conversation. However, another point to this is what if someone new has just entered a position in a new company? and plan to stay there for a long time? I think mandatory company parties would be an event that can further help establish connections. Otherwise how likely would the youngest member of a company interact outside of work with the oldest?
Post a Comment