3 Reasons to Embrace the Office Holiday Party
Is the Office Holiday Party at work fast approaching and you aren’t enthused? Perhaps you even dread it? Lisa B. Marshall, aka The Public Speaker, will show you how to get the most out of such events, and maybe even enjoy them.
Lisa B. Marshall
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3 Reasons to Embrace the Office Holiday Party
So the Office Holiday/Christmas Party has arrived. You’re not a party person, or maybe you are and you think office parties are just too dull. You’re thinking of skipping the party, but you figure you’ve got to go. So you’re going, but you’re not happy about it. Let me tell you why you should be. 
1. It may be fun!
The Office Holiday Party feels awkward for most people, but it doesn’t have to be. What makes it feel awkward is that you’ll be interacting with people whom you only know in one capacity— the office. (And you may even be thinking, “and I don’t want to know them in any other capacity … “) But getting to know them in a different way can help your in-office relationships as well as your career.
Usually office interpersonal relationships are somewhat superficial. The office party is a chance to “peel a layer from the interpersonal onion” so to speak—or if you’ve read my book Smart Talk, go one level deeper in your hula hoop! It’s a chance to go from ‘just the facts’ that you need to do your job to maybe finding out something about your colleagues’ interests, hobbies, or life experiences. It’s a chance to find something else in common besides work, a chance to talk about something else. And making those kinds of connections can be fun. (Really.) By the way, if small talk isn’t in your comfort zone—I suggest also reading Why You Should Embrace Awkward Small Talk.
And sometimes an office party is more than just hors-d’oeuvres and drinks. Although I didn’t generally look forward to the office party either, I once went to a very well-planned “theme” work holiday party that allowed me to interact and engage with people I wouldn’t have normally had the chance to get to know—in a way that was incredibly entertaining and fun. The next year, when it was canceled due to the budget, I was actually disappointed!
2. It could improve your office relationships and your productivity.
The office party is a perfect opportunity to improve office relationships. It may be one of the few times you have the opportunity to freely interact in-person with people at different levels within the company and in different departments. Making in-person connections may seem like a “silly” benefit of attending a work party, but in this age of mostly email and texting, creating an in-person, personal connection can significantly deepen a relationship. That benefit should not be underestimated. Personal connection increases trust which, in turn, increases influence and helping behaviors. Maybe the IT gal helps you with an issue you have on your home computer, or maybe the HR person pushes through your request, or maybe your boss’s boss approves a pay increase—just because they got to know you a bit better at the holiday party. Again, don’t underestimate the tremendous value of in-person conversations about non-work interests, activities, goals, and values to deepen relationships.
To be clear, being the “life and soul” of the party is not the right goal. Your goal should be to choose a few relationships you want to further develop and use the party environment to help you advance those particular relationships while also nurturing your existing important relationships.
3. It could advance your career.
The office party can advance your career, but you can’t be mercenary about it. Peter Post, author of Essential Manners for Men, told foxbusiness.com, “If you think about the holiday party as a way to advance your career, the insincerity of your efforts will be recognized by others. What you want to do is represent yourself as a reasonable fun person to be with.” He suggests researching any executives that may attend. Look for an opportunity to introduce yourself and what department you’re in. Be sure to thank him or her for the party, and perhaps make a positive comment about something new the company is doing, a recent press release, or something else of mutual interest. But don’t really talk business or use this as an opportunity to share your recent accomplishments. Instead, just show your appreciation and knowledge of high level strategic wins for the company, then move on. This is just a first step toward building a professional relationship and it’s common courtesy to thank the senior leaders who approved the budget for the party.
Just show your appreciation and knowledge of high level strategic wins for the company, then move on.
4. It might actually make you happier.
Don’t feel comfortable talking to strangers? A recent study suggests you may just need practice. Talking to strangers apparently makes people happier, even those who thought it wouldn’t. Psychologist Nicholas Epley did a fascinating study on why you should put down your smart phone and talk to others. The study, titled Mistakenly Seeking Solitude, clearly showed that, while many people thought that talking to strangers would be uncomfortable, everyone found it more pleasant than expected. And in fact, those who thought they would be happier left alone found their satisfaction was lower than they predicted.
So go to that office Holiday party with the right frame of mind, and you’ll probably find you benefit in many ways, emotionally and professionally. Besides, some people went through a lot of trouble to put it together. Seek them out, thank them, maybe even give them a hand. That kind of courtesy will not only make you look good, it will actually make you feel good, too.
This is Lisa B. Marshall helping you to lead and influence. If you’d like to learn more about compelling communication, I invite you to read my bestselling books, Smart Talk and Ace Your Interview, and listen to my other podcast, Smart Talk. As always, your success is my business.
Image courtesy of Shutterstock.
About the Author
Lisa B. Marshall Lisa holds masters with duel degrees in interpersonal/intercultural communication and organizational communication. She’s the author of Smart Talk: The Public Speaker’s Guide to Success in Every Situation, as well as Ace Your Interview, Powerful Presenter, and Expert Presenter. Her work has been featured in CBS Money Watch, Ragan.com, Woman’s Day, Glamour, Cosmopolitan, and many others. Her institutional clients include Johns Hopkins Medicine, Harvard University, NY Academy of Science, University of Pennsylvania, Genentech, and Roche.