Office Holiday Party Principles

      Another article about mingling appeared in a nationally recognized tome. The tone of this one was more than a tad derisive. That's not very helpful to the person who has to attend a holiday party and must mingle with co-workers and finds that to be uncomfortable.

      We all know people that are great at parties: they look good, have great stories to tell, make us feel as if they have waited all evening to chat with us, listen with their eyes and ears and let their computers do the scanning.  Much of what the best of minglers do is replicable: read the paper to prepare small talk, have some interesting stories to share, compliment colleagues for work well done, include significant others with eye contact and conversation, are upbeat, introduce people  with gusto and respect and are fun to be around.

      And we have seen the office oafs.  They drink too much, do and say embarrassing things, tell inappropriate stories and jokes, take out their digital toys to "talk" to others who are not in attendance while chatting with those who are and forget that the office party is a BUSINESS event where business rules, both written and unwritten, and good manners, apply. In this day of cell phone and digital cameras, we want to be sure that the snapshots taken are all ones that pass our, "day -after test".

     In How To Work a Room, I wrote about the CFO of a company who told a consultant he would never dance at any office event of any kind as that is not how he wanted to be remembered.  I boiled it down to: NO DIRTY DANCING after the iconic movie of the same title.  As much as I love my salsa dancing, that advice still applies.

      The office holiday party is a great time to converse with co-workers, bosses and outside vendors.  Remember, the season is the reason and the party is an opportunity to strengthen connections, celebrate and have fun.

     For more information http://www.susanroane.com/tips/holidays.html