When you’re an introvert and one of the more senior technical experts in your organization, company-sponsored social outings can be a bit awkward. “Mandatory fun,” as it’s sometimes called, isn’t all that fun for everyone. Maybe not for you.
But in an organization, building relationships with other human beings is crucial, especially when you want your technical expertise to make a difference.
Here are some things you can do to make the most of those workplace social outings, even if you don’t particularly enjoy the planned activities.
1️⃣ Be strategic. Identify a small number of people that you rarely interact with, and come up with a list of questions you can ask them. Ideally, use information you already know about them to come up with questions that show interest in something they like to talk about. If you can’t think of anything specific, ask about family or hobbies. Try to come away learning at least one thing about each person on your list.
2️⃣ Have an “exit phrase” for when your conversations come to a close. Something like, “Well, I’ll let you get back to your games” or “I’m going to go check out what else is here. Thanks for a good chat” will let you end a conversation gracefully. And knowing how to end can take some of the resistance out of starting a conversation.
3️⃣ Know your limits. Don’t set unrealistic expectations on how much time you’ll spend talking with other people. Be prepared and willing to step away from the crowd or the noise if you need to.
“Mandatory fun” can be outside your comfort zone, but there are still positive results you can see from participating, even if you don’t really enjoy the planned activities. Focus on those positive aspects, while maintaining any boundaries you need, and you can turn awkward outings into opportunities for greater impact and fulfillment at work.
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