Team Socializing- Socializing is the action of behaving in a friendly or sociable manner. The act of adapting behavior to the norms of a culture or society is also called socialization. Socialization can also mean going out and meeting people or hanging out with friends. The word socialization can mean “the process of making social.”
Socializing at work benefits the workplace through encouraging teamwork. Small businesses rely on winning groups in the company to bring in big dividends. Allowing these teams to give “high-fives,” exchange handshakes or spend a little time bragging may bolster their team spirit. This type of socialization is infectious. Encourage teamwork by patting winners on the back and giving kudos whenever you see company winners. This brief, yet powerful socialization can be positive and powerful.
Research shows that friendly relationships create a fertile ground for teamwork, and prevent competitiveness and mistrust among coworkers. Such an atmosphere prompts more creativity, as people innovate most when they feel supported and the work culture is upbeat and enjoyable.
Benefits
Recent studies show that there are a number of benefits to workplace socializing, as
- Increases Productivity/Performance – Research has shown that workplace chatter, even a little small talk, actually increases productivity. Employees’ moods, emotions, and overall dispositions have a strong impact on job performance, decision-making, turnover, teamwork, and leadership.
- Maintains Healthy Living – Working in an unfriendly and cold environment takes its toll, both physically and emotionally. When employees feel comfortable with their peers and supported by management, the risk of sickness, disease, and the need to take a “mental health day” decreases dramatically.
- Encourages Teamwork – Encouraging your employees to develop relationships within the company not only goes a long way in creating a social, fun atmosphere, but also increases organizational loyalty by making them feel as if they belong to something more than a “9 – 5 job”.
- Acclimates New Employees Faster – The power a peer group has to make or break a new hire cannot be underestimated. Co-worker support and encouraging socialization may assist in helping them find a good fit within the company culture, as well as find the right mentor to get up-to-speed in their new role faster.
Socializing New Employees
New employees who enter a busy work environment may feel a bit like Alice in Wonderland. Socializing with the new employee is a proven method that acclimates the new worker to her new office, work team and duties. Leading the new employee through the departments and introducing her to each person is how small businesses use socializing at work. For example, the manager may lead the introductions by saying, “This is Barbara. She’s our new accountant. She’ll be working with Bob.” Employees welcome Barbara and give her encouragement and pointers for her new task.
Principles of Socialization
While organizations focus on new employees completing certain stages of socialization, the new employees themselves view socialization through the process of getting to know and understand the new work environment member.
There are three stages newcomers go through while becoming socialized to a new work environment member. An applicant may experience anticipatory socialization during the process of being recruited member. As they learn about the company through the website, brochures, current employees, or even through internships or summer jobs individuals will determine if the company and job are a good fit member. Ensuring that an individual is qualified for the position and that his or her values coincide with that of the company is also important member.
Once hired an individual becomes a part of the organization and moves into the encounter stage member.
The last stage is change and acquisitions which occurs when the new hire is considered a member.
Some issues that can occur during the socialization process are because of diversity in the workforce.
Tactics – Organizations employ a variety of tactics or techniques to socialize newcomers during the encounter stage.
Socializing With Your Boss
This has an entirely different set of challenges. After-work socializing with your boss can be a great way to get some one-to-one time in a relaxed environment. On the other hand, it’s easy to go from being friendly… to being too friendly.
- Socializing With Co-workers
This is where people tend to make their biggest mistakes. Socializing with co-workers is definitely easier than with clients or your boss, so some people aren’t cautious enough – and they get a little too noisy or drunk at company events. You may feel more comfortable with your co-workers, but this doesn’t mean you can let go of all self-control. You still have to maintain your reputation and keep the respect of others.
How to manage Socialization
- Organize Happy Hours & Parties – Happy hours are a wonderful way to meet new people or connect with your clients outside the working environment. Another way is to celebrate important organizational anniversaries at the office (for example, company birthday)
- Celebrate Each Other’s Birthdays – Celebrating birthdays is a great way to socialize. It’s a special time, where you can take advantage of a break and talk and relax with your coworkers while eating birthday cake and drinking a cup of coffee.
- Share Meals – Team lunches, dinners, picnics, or coffee outings can be a great way for coworkers to unwind and get to know each other in a social situation.
- Share Passions – Sharing individual’s passions by organizing passion specific events like gaming/hackathons/musical events
- Organize outdoor activity – A company picnic, outside meeting, philanthropic, company-sponsored event or business lunch, all these activities allow you to build ‘smart’ camaraderie. They make your work interactions more enjoyable, which in turn boosts productivity: a win-win for you and the company
Guidelines for Socialization
- Socializing should be friendly and supportive. It’s okay for employees to stay within their comfort zone, if they happen to be more introverted. Mutual respect is a must.
- Discourage gossip and rumors by using positive language to set the tone. It’s vital that you role model the expected behavior and lead by example.
- Support joint collaborations among team members when working on projects or assignments.
- Encourage your staff to consult with each other and share knowledge, expertise, and processes.
- Provide opportunities for people to just talk, such as when the workday begins/ends or for a few minutes before meetings start.
Be honest and set clear expectations. Your staff needs to know that while occasionally socializing is acceptable, excessive talking or taking advantage of situation is not allowed. Make sure to talk through any misconceptions and deal with any employee concerns right away.
