So there we were, gathered around the pool table, frosty beers in hand. It was only the second time in years that we decided to meet like this, outside of the grey hallways of work. It was happy hour. And much to my dismay, it was quite therapeutic to speak freely with minimal risk of getting caught.
Many of those HotMonsterBuilder sites like to post regularly on the perils of mixing alcohol and coworkers. While it can easily be a recipe for a cocktail I like to call a ‘pink slip,’ if you have the discipline to stay in control, you can get a much better bonus then 2-for-1 drinks.
Here are some of the benefits of attending a happy hour with your coworkers:
*A casual atmosphere lends itself to people loosening up, resulting in the transfer of knowledge. Look past their negative gripes for information that can be useful as you plot your advancement.
* You get to associate with people you might normally have the opportunity to talk to. Getting to know people on a personal level (within boundaries, of course), can result in an easier to navigate workplace. You also can toss aside some of those unfair preconceived notions.
*Find out who’s committed to the company and who the chronic complainers are. They’ll always be the coworker who has ‘had enough’ and is leaving by the end of the month. As you already know, there’s probably a good chance you’ll see that person at happy hour next month.
*Here’s an opportunity to look into the mirror and find out how your coworkers perceive you. Make sure you’re sending out the message you want. The fact that you’re invited, is probably a good sign.
*Bonds are formed over alcohol, the kind that pay dividends when you need help on a last-minute project. Little in-jokes can go a long way. Don’t underestimate the power of ‘nice.’
*Attending a happy hour can lead to meeting other local professionals, thus growing your network.
If you don’t feel you have the self-control, then don’t go – just be sure to find a way to turn down your colleagues gracefully. Consistently rejecting offers can lead people to think that you think you’re better than them or that your life is too “busy” to part with an hour.
Quickie Happy Hour Rules:
– Know your limit and drink one drink less.
– No shots. Ever. Nurse your drink over conversation.
– Avoid awkwardness by setting ‘buying’ ground rules. (We each buy our own drinks, etc.)
– Make sure a same-sex colleague is present as the crowd starts to thin
– Pick a place close to work to make it easy for everybody
– Extend the invitation to all (or, if you must, remain tight-lipped)
– Happy hour doesn’t have to be a rigid 60-minute affair, but it should not be an all night thing
Happy hour, with the right amount of control, can not only be fun but a valuable career tool too.
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