How to Talk to Anyone at a Holiday Office Party
All parties have their awkward moments, but getting around in your colleagues’ room with an open bar seems especially important. Here are some tips for talking to everyone from boss to intern so you can get back to work Monday morning with your head held high.
Perhaps you have a pretty good relationship with everyone, or even one work friend with whom you can hide in a corner. But it’s more likely that you need to go and just show up without hesitation. This is a party, which means that the usual structure of human interaction is slightly disrupted. In a post for Fast Company, writer Judith Humphrey offers guidance on what to say to whom during this lawlessness.
General manager
The CEO looks like the most popular girl at the party. Everyone wants her attention, so why compete? According to Humphrey, you should; don’t just get around. This is your opportunity to say hello and at least make sure they hear your name at least once. Don’t interrupt if they are talking to someone else, but be aggressive enough to get there:
Reach out and introduce yourself. Don’t say, “I am Ayesha, I work in the sales department.” This introduction will get you nowhere. When shaking hands, be sure to state your full name and do so with confidence and eye contact. Tell your CEO, not where you work, but what you contribute. So, if you are in sales, you can say, “I am Ayesha Patel and I helped corporate banking experience the best year in history.” Or you can state, “I am watching our expanding relationship with NBR Bank.”
It may sound like bragging, but Humphrey tells the CEO it’s a special coded language of success. They will eat it. If you want to play it safe, just stay with your department and use “Best Year Ever” as your answer if the CEO asks how things are going. Then thank them for the party and leave. There is probably a line behind you.
Boss
It’s the end of the year and it’s a party; Whether you think your boss is terrible or not, this is your opportunity to show favor. They will be more relaxed, just like you, and now is a good time to thank them for their work and example, whatever it is. But do not try:
As you plan this conversation, think about what you admire, respect, or love about your boss. It could be his ability to inspire his team or his commitment to the success of the department. You may appreciate that he teaches you and others. You can also respect him because he is a great father who manages to balance work and family.
Be prepared to thank you with a specific compliment. Try to be as confident and comfortable as possible, look them in the eye and wish them happy holidays. It’s a bit formal, but probably a lot warmer than anything you would say on a typical workday.
Colleagues
While you’re planning ahead, why not think about who else will be there? Who do you want to develop as a friend, work partner, or team member? Try to remember what you liked about your colleagues and wait for the right moment to talk to them and share your impressions – of course, the right things.
Here are some points of view: If you and your colleague have been working on a project, tell them that it was a great experience and suggest what you might do next year. Or, if you know your coworker is looking for a job, tell her that you might have someone she can talk to. If you two have small children, share the joy of having little people at the holidays. Offer to gather the children for the New Year. The point is to build relationships.
Companionship makes the office so much better, and it is again a place to develop closer ties.
Trainees
Humphrey doesn’t talk about it, but be sure to thank the interns at your company. Their work is often boring, complex, and inconspicuous (unless it is being done). This can be a good gesture to make sure they receive some kind of corporate gift or to thank you, especially if this is the end of their tenure. They will remember their time there more fondly if they feel appreciated, and today’s intern tomorrow may become their boss.
Strangers
If there is a stranger at the party, it is likely that they have some connection with a company or coworker. Come up, introduce yourself and find out who they are:
If a client has been invited to the event, tell them, “We love working with your team.” If the person is a new employee, ask how they like their job. Offer to have lunch with them in the near future to discuss any questions they may have. What matters is that (1) you set yourself a goal to lend a helping hand and (2) you listen a lot. They will remember you for these gracious qualities.
And if they just crash, you will at least be rewarded for your kindness with an interesting story.
How to Talk to Anyone From CEO to Trainees at Your Company Holiday Party | Fast Company