By Greyson Williams
Since the pandemic, it has become easier to distance ourselves from each other, but every sociologist will insist that in some way, shape or form, we need community. So, in a society that has learned to avoid one another, how do we fix this? Feeling disconnected from your co-workers? One of the easiest ways to fix this is to simply ask if you can join them on their lunchbreak. Conversations over a meal can yield a plethora of amazing results not just related to rejoining society, but also establishing friendships and unity within the workplace. Here are three reasons to use your lunch break to build workplace relationships.
- Increased Productivity. While it may not be the first idea one would think of, eating with your co-workers is actually a great team-building activity. The more you spend time with those you work with, the better you will work together. Companies spend an exceptional amount of time and effort to plan and fund team building exercises when in reality, one of the simplest ways to achieve the same results is to encourage having meals with each other. It’s a simple fact that can get lost on big companies; the more co-workers feel comfortable with one another, the more productive they can become.
2. Networking/Company Unity. A shared meal is one of the easiest ways to obtain and maintain unity amongst staff members. Networking is the next step to take once you’ve become acquainted with those that you work directly with. The next step is to branch out to those belonging to different departments. Eating with those who are a part of a different team is a great way to break down barriers formed in the workplace. This idea, which is known as cross-office unity, is already popular with larger companies due to its success in bringing people together to share different perspectives on the workplace and unify the company as a whole.
3. Increased Overall Happiness. The lunch break is an amazing time to take a breath and unwind with peers. This allows for the establishment and strengthening of inner work friendships that can yield a far more enjoyable work environment. We all need time to take a step away from work and decompress. This becomes a lot easier if the people who work with you are friends that need the same thing. One of the most vital things to individual happiness is to enjoy where you work. With that comes a desire to enjoy who you work with as well.
Through history, stories, and pop culture, we see of those who care about each other eating together. Sharing a meal is an intentional and convenient way of getting to know someone better. The next time you’re going on you lunch break look around and see who could join you. You never know where a conversation might take you, but the results will be more beneficial workplace relationships.
