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The Impact of Corporate Activity Attendance

Young professionals are finding it increasingly difficult to survive the endless challenges the fast-paced business world presents, let alone advance beyond their current position. Many can attest that providing excellent results consistently hardly guarantees a corner office, or even space resembling an office. So what measures can you employ to ensure you’re not left behind in the rat race?

Companies look highly on employees who engage in social activities with fellow colleagues beyond the padded cubicles. Believe it or not, these activities can serve as vehicles to the fast lane in career advancement. There are a variety of opportunities for businesses to sponsor social events such as:

 
• athletic competitions against other organizations
• noncompetitive gatherings such as picnics or parties
• volunteer work
• team building workshops either onsite or at a remote, tropical location (you may want to inform your boss that Hawaii has several workshop organizations).

There are infinite possibilities throughout the country that foster corporate entertainment. Human Resources, a social committee, and coworkers are the best sources of information of how to get involved. No matter what functions your place of employment has planned, all are meant to inspire employee socialization and enjoyment. I know it may not seem like it, but they really are intended to be fun . . . really.

Out of your Comfort Zone

When whiteboards and meeting agendas are replaced with bowling balls and zip lines, individuals are removed from their comfort zone and forced to interact with peers in a different manner. Initially, the idea of discussing topics unrelated to work for an extended period of time may seem uncomfortable, but eventually this will become easier.

This allows coworkers to move from the superficial layer of office speak, i.e., how was your weekend, to more personal and meaningful information. Dont worry, no one is asking you to reveal all those skeletons in your closet. You are building on the peer-to-peer relationships by divulging only carefully chosen, nonwork-related information.

Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylors’ idea of Social Penetration theorizes that the closeness of relationships directly relates to the amount of personal information disclosed. As individuals reveal more about themselves over a gradual timeframe, their counterparts are likely to reciprocate. This process highlights characteristics in others to which we can relate, thereby strengthening our bond. Often times, people are pigeon-holed based on their job position and not considered in alternate views. Conversing with fellow employees outside the office rectifies the judgments we have of each other.

Once back at work, Samantha no longer will be just a security specialist who runs large contracts for the Government. Instead, you’ll know she paints in her spare time, mostly with acrylics, and dreams of returning to art school. Ultimately, when you comprehend what drives those around you, the communication and collaboration processes will result in higher levels of productivity and, most importantly, job satisfaction.

Why It Matters:

Getting noticed, Impressing, and Building relationships . . . with your boss!

In addition to making an impact on your coworkers, the relationship with your boss also correlates to your attendance at functions. One immediate advantage is he or she will notice your commitment to the company and effort to interact with others on a higher level. Corporate events also facilitate the opportunity to emphasize talents stifled in the workplace. For example, taking charge of t-shirt orders for the basketball team or overseeing the logistics of a public speaking presentation will cause your immediate supervisor to notice your leadership skills and proactive attitude. This could lead to increased responsibilities at work and enhance his or her impression of you.

Perception, Perception, Perception

The perception your boss holds of you will most likely be relayed to his or her superior, basically your super boss, for lack of a better term. Whether good or bad, true or false, the information passed through the chain of command will determine how upper management considers you.

Some employees have little or no social interaction with their super boss but see him or her frequently. This can change by striking up conversation during social hour. Attempt to find out more about your superior’s family and interests. Should you discover he’s a Giants football fan and you live and breathe Philadelphia green and white, you’ll be able to joke with him after his team takes a beating. This small topic can be the catalyst to building a stronger rapport with the person, especially a guy, as you can then move onto other topics when comfortable. By building this relationship, you are making a positive name for yourself and possibly opening doors.

The structure of your office environment will predetermine whether or not partaking in the corporate festivities will influence your relationship with the head of the company. When I started my job, our personnel totaled 500. The chief sat down the hall from me, and we spoke frequently. After being acquired by a major corporation, our staff jumped to 44,000. Now what I know of the man in charge rests solely on a brief, monthly memo and an accompanying picture . . . but keep in mind it’s a really great picture.

If all you know from your CEO is that he lives on Park Ave, chances are you playing broomball isn’t really going to change his idea of you dramatically, if your existence is even known. What may act as an impression are the relationships you develop with others, which may ripple in his direction by word of mouth.

According to Pete Eshelman, the director of operations for Wilderness Adventure at Eagle Landing, a team building retreat in New Castle, Virginia, those at his organization “see a lot of people come out of their shell. Lisa starts off as shy and introverted and after [team building] we can’t shut her up!”

He believes that the self-confidence gained from building relationships with coworkers outside of the office serves one exponentially in the office. These types of interaction “give employees a global perspective of the organization instead of a tunnel vision focused on them. They see where they fit now and what they can do in the future.”

The Big Picture

No matter with whom you interact, what’s important to remember is that the social events outside the office transform the group dynamics in the office. How a person carries herself plays a significant role in the way others respond. When planning on making an appearance, always remember to be positive, supportive, friendly, open-minded, and personable. Funny doesn’t hurt either. The last thing you want is to negatively impact your coworkers and stall any growth in your professional life.

To make the most of each situation, set a goal, such as discovering one new fact about each person or talking to as many people as possible. This not only will make you proactive during the occasion but also provides you with a sense of accomplishment afterwards. However, I understand not everyone has a flair for starting a conversation from thin air. What serves as an immediate remedy to this conundrum is to inquire about kids, grandkids, animals, and hobbies, all topics people love to gush over. You won’t have to say much and by listening attentively and asking thoughtful questions, your coworkers will find you engaging.

One last thing to consider is companies appreciate employees who volunteer in the community. Building a house with Habitat for Humanity not only looks good for the organization but creates a strong feeling of accomplishment and fulfillment in each person. Many businesswomen would love to support volunteer agencies on a regular basis, but lack the time due to a second job, children, or long hours at work. Considering the limited amount of time available, those of you who fall under these categories can participate in annual fundraisers, like the Multiple Sclerosis Walk, or donate old clothes and goods to the needy when possible. Even efforts such as these count as performing your civic duty.

Breaking out the bocce set at the annual company bonfire may not appeal very much to everyone . . . or anyone, for that matter. Yet those who pick up the ball, and do it with a smile, allow for more chances to chat with influential people and change their career paths. Ok, maybe you’d prefer badminton. Either way, what’s important is your presence at work socials and their impact on your future.