Why are Social Interactions Important at Work?
Social interactions are considered an essential element in the recipe for a productive work environment. Studies have found that positive social relationships and workplace friendships boost work performance. This leads to happier people in the office, which in turn increases overall productivity.
As people have become less social post pandemic, attempting to increase social interactions in a positive way may not come naturally to you. In this article we walk you through the steps to increase social interactions that are designed to boost productivity in your office.
Humanizing Your Workspace
Coworking has provided a great environment for remote workers. It is the solution to isolation that has allowed for professional workers to find an office nearly anywhere. Remote offices include a wide variety of professionals, from a large number of backgrounds. As a result it is an ideal environment to help people build connections and expand their network. The first step in this is to create more humanized workspaces. Here are some steps you can take to begin down this path.
1) Before you start to work, take a moment to make eye contact with the individuals in the same room, at the same counter, or when passing in the common areas. Are you sitting next to people you haven’t spoken with? Take an opportunity during a break to introduce yourself. Consider planning to meet for breakfast, lunch, or even happy hour.
2) Try not self isolate at your desk. Get up and walk to refill your water or coffee. Take a moment to walk to the lobby or common areas before or after your day, or during breaks to interact with others. Even taking a walk around the block can offer opportunities to interact socially. Take a lunch break and go out with coworkers. If you’re working with someone, try going for coffee after a project is completed. Even if you’re not the most social person in the office, remember that it can be used as an opportunity to work on areas of improvement.
3) Remember to listen carefully to colleagues. When you disagree with another coworker, express it in a way that is respectful and professional. Try to understand their opinions, where they’re coming from, before building your own response. Make an effort to see things from their perspective and you’ll find that social interactions can transform your day.
4) Be honest with your coworkers about what motivates your work and where you want to go in life. Talking about your future plans is an important step to understanding the people around you. If you’re looking for feedback, trying to communicate your needs and desires will make it easier for others to contribute. Try not to be afraid of what others think about this talk – these can be great conversations that lead to better technology adoption as well!
Conclusion
Increasing your social interactions, especially around professionals from different backgrounds, can increase the quality of your work and productivity. Connecting with individuals in a variety of ways expands your network in ways that make you more efficient at problem solving. Finally, positive interactions enhance your work day and make your time spent working more fulfilling.
