Are you looking for effective ways to get to know your colleagues a little better upon returning to the office? We have come up with some fun ideas to get the socialising juices flowing!
Go for a walk
Sitting around a stuffy staff room eating a wilted cheese sandwich might be your usual go-to lunchtime activity, but why not invite a couple of colleagues on a walk? Walking around your area is not only great exercise, but it gives you an in-built topic to talk about as you spot places you might want to eat, shops you can pop into, or just some lovely natural sights (if you’re lucky).
Ask a silly question
Unsure of what to say? Ask a random question! Think something like “which celebrities would you invite to a dinner party?” or “if you could live in any period of history, which would it be?” This might sound a little strange, but think outside the box! Opening with a fun and unusual question can get people out of their usual roles and help them to relax.
Discuss your hobbies
If you love a certain popular Netflix show, bring it up the next time you’re hanging out in the staff room! There may just be a fellow fan in your midst and this can be a fantastic jumping-off point for conversations. No one likes a silent lunchtime, so if you are an avid knitter or you love to hike at the weekends, bringing up your interests will help you to find commonalities with coworkers with who you haven’t naturally connected. Who knows – it could lead to a friendship that takes you outside of work and becomes something that could last a lifetime.
Coffee dates
We know this might seem like an obvious one, but sometimes the old-fashioned ideas are the best! Grabbing a colleague you would like to get to know better for a one on one coffee date gets you out of the office and into a low-pressure environment. If the conversation isn’t flowing, you can always people watch! This is a great way to bond, build little in-jokes, and really get familiar with one another.
Enjoy team bonding
Traditional team bonding is a great way to get to know a variety of colleagues at once, with so many fun activities to choose from. Get together with your fellow employees and think up and research some team-building event ideas. Just planning these fun events can help you to get to know each other better, as you will discover likes and dislikes you may not have expected.
With these top tips, you will be feeling like you have a work-family in no time!
