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Work Party Etiquette |Leila's House of Corrections

Everyone cuts loose around the holidays, right? Not if you're a manager. Learn 3 tips that will show both your direct reports and the company's executives that you are sociable, skilled and strategic.

If you have questions or suggestions for future video topics, Leila wants to hear from you.

Speaker: Leila Bulling Towne, Executive Coach, The Bulling Towne Group

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Tags: Leila's House of Corrections, etiquette, work, party, season, drinking, networking, managers, executives

 
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    1

    coochilla

    12/13/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Work Party Etiquette |Leila's House of Corrections

    be yourself have fun

  •  
    2

    LeilaBT

    12/15/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Work Party Etiquette |Leila's House of Corrections

    Coochilla,
    Yes, I agree. And if you think being yourself means having too much fun, ask a trusted colleague to let you know when you need to be reminded that peers and managers may not be as forgiving as friends from outside of work.
    Regards,
    Leila

  •  
    3

    JO BO

    12/23/08 | Report as spam

    RE: Work Party Etiquette |Leila's House of Corrections

    My ex-managers used these events to see who could outdrink the other. They also made advances to the wait staff. Unprofessional to say the least. It didn't hurt my image of them any further because I already had lost respect for them for the way they managed at the office. It simply reinforced my feelings.

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Work Party Etiquette |Leila's House of Corrections

Everyone cuts loose around the holidays, right? Not if you're a manager. Learn 3 tips that will show both your direct reports and the company's executives that you are sociable, skilled and strategic.

If you have questions or suggestions for future video topics, Leila wants to hear from you.

Holiday party, summer picnic, launch of a new product everyone deserves a chance to cut loose--even managers, right? Wrong! Remember the magnifying glass you operate under. When it comes to partying, you should be spending more time in the audience than on stage. Come on managers, it s time to address work party etiquette.

It s so tempting to indulge at a work gathering. Lots of food, most likely an open bar, great music, and dancing. Your employees are cutting loose, so why can t you cut a rug with them? Hmm, well, because you re a manager and the expectations are higher and more restrictive about what you can do and say. This is one time when that manager hat has to stay on. Keep these tips in mind:

Tip 1: Don t drink.

There s no other way to say this. If you can t stop yourself at one cocktail, don t drink alcohol at all. It s not worth the risk. Yes, it s free, but so is the elevator ride down and out the door, career-wise, when you make a fool of yourself.

Tip 2: Remember this is business.

This is a company event, and hence, the rules of the office apply. It s like work, except it s darker and louder. Managers need to remain alert and available to react when possible liabilities surface such as someone who s had too much to drink or inappropriate physical advances by a superior towards another employee.

Tip 3: Be sociable and be interested.

If guests are welcome, it s likely your team members will bring spouses or partners and want to introduce you to those people. Yes, you have to mingle; it s part of your role as a manager. Be attentive and gracious, keeping the basics of business etiquette in mind. Repeat the person s name, indicate how pleased you are to meet him or her, and ask a few questions.

So what should you be focusing on at work gathering? Networking! This may be one of the few times so many people in power, including the executive committee, are in one place at the same time.

This is an ideal opportunity for you to socialize with these influential folks. You ll have a clear head from minimal or no drinking and be able to present yourself as a skilled, strategic, and social manager.