In our own pumpkins

Photo by Leo, in October 2004

Versão em português
Version en français

You will probably think I am an unsociable person, or a hermit. Maybe I am. And I think there are others like me in the world. Like everyone else, we should be respected in our choices. I will try to say something on behalf of such people.

I’m talking about employees’ relationships within a company. It is not like in a family, it is very far from that, indeed. Take a time to think about the policies of many companies, trying to turn into a family, a group of people who are strange to each other. It is an error, in my point of view. I think we don’t need to improve the friendship with our colleagues. The relationship should be only professional.

What do I mean by that? Please, follow my thoughts… We don’t choose our colleagues; we work in a place because of several circumstances, not because of the staff of a company… at least, this is not the rule. On the other hand, we choose our husband or our wife, and we usually like to be with them, with our children, if we have any, to live our lives. When the direction of a company tries to create situations so that people become friends, in an attempt to improve relationships at work, the purpose is clearly to increase the productivity for better results. It is a mistake! In my opinion, if we keep cordial and professional bonds, it will work better.

We don’t need those office parties or “happy hour” meetings to become friends. Don’t worry about that. When people are interested in socializing, they do it without coaching them. When they do not, it is not a party that will change it. The problem is that we are often more time with our colleagues during regular working hours than with our families in our private life. We don’t want to take still more time without our loved ones. We would be happier if no additional time was asked to stay far from home. And happier we are, better we work! Simple!

Even worse, if there is someone at work with a toxic personality, and we have to endure this person more and more, if we are forced to be friends, it can be a very difficult challenge. It can disturb the productivity very seriously.

So, dear managers, supervisors, and life coaching specialists, think about it. Halloween is just around the corner. Don’t make arrangements for a party, keeping people more time far from their loved ones. Let your employees go home in peace, to celebrate this date the way they want, with their families, in their own… pumpkin. This is the best choice, believe me!