Company Christmas parties are hard work for me because I’m not exactly extroverted. I would love nothing else than to take the early exit on Friday and go straight home. But several articles I’ve read recently show that skipping the company Christmas party would be a mistake.
Boss face time
The party is your chance to get some face time with your boss. I’m lucky because as the company supervisor I get to see my boss every week. On the other hand, some of our foremen may not see him for several weeks and even then it’s a short visit.
Now, I know that my boss will be in a great mood this coming Friday after spending a long weekend in California. So now is a good chance for our workers and foremen to enjoy food and drink with their boss. And hopefully say thank you to him and to his wife.
I know, I know, the workers are super important because they work hard delivering to our clients what was promised in our contracts. That’s why there will be prizes and games; many workers will start 2019 with raises and the very best will be cashing in bonus cheques. But it’s still nice to say thank you before heading into the holiday break.
Personally, I see my boss all the time but I rarely speak to his wife so this might be a good opportunity to say thank you for keeping my paycheques mistake-free and ask how the kids are doing.
Networking
Grant Cardone also reminds us that parties allow for networking. And again, it’s hard work for me because I have to know you to feel relaxed. But after a few drinks it will get easier. And who knows what will happen.
Some people might know of side job gigs or know people searching for a chess coach. (I teach chess in my spare time.) It’s also a good time to plug my landscape eBooks to people struggling in the field.
Many workers only see the harder work side of their red Seal Journeyman supervisor. It’s good to show them the softer side, the gray-haired, European-born father of two.
Landscape pro Vas on the beach.
So listen to this sound advice: don’t skip your office parties. Instead use them to get some face time with your boss and supervisor. And don’t forget networking. You never know what you will discover by talking to spouses and girlfriends. If I can do it…..
