How to foster socialization in the workplace

Question:

Why is socialization important in the workplace, and how can I foster that interaction?

Answer:

People want to have fun when they go to work. They want to feel that they’ve made a difference. Sure, we all need a paycheck, but that’s a very low motivation. Socialization strategies help staff get to know one another. When you’re engaging on a personal level, and you know the people you’re working with, you’ll be able to be a lot more productive in resolving company issues together.

We as business managers enhance that process by providing company events, holiday parties or simple fun things in the workplace, one-on-one, for the entire department or across departments.

What’s really cool is if you take away the hierarchy, so employees feel it’s OK to come up and shake hands or share an update about their family or life experiences. It makes us human, it makes us real.

It could be a quick interaction as you’re walking through your operation. But the best thing is to allow time. Budget your schedule so you have a good 20 minutes or so to have that interaction with employees, or open the door by saying, “Can we talk about it this afternoon when things are slower?”

It’s the disgruntled employee who doesn’t have a chance to talk with you who is going to go outside of the channels of communication. They’re the ones who are going to pick up the phone and call the Board of Health and say, “Oh my, did you see how filthy the dish room is.”

-Lynne Eddy
Associate Professor, Business Management
The Culinary Institute of America