Is it beneficial to socially connect with your colleagues?

My name is Jeske Janssens and I am 20 years old. I am originally from The Netherlands, but I have lived all over the world throughout my entire life. Coming to Switzerland has helped me kickstart a career in the hospitality industry. I am currently studying a BBA Global Hospitality Management at Les Roches.

In the fast-paced and people-focused world of the hospitality industry, it is important not to forget the significance of social connections. Even though work relationships are mostly about business, it’s worth considering if it is also beneficial to get to know your colleagues on a personal level.

One of the biggest benefits of making friends with co-workers in the hospitality business is the chance to work together and as a team effectively. As people build relationships with each other, they learn more about their skills, weaknesses, and work styles. This helps individuals to talk to each other better, which makes it easier for teams to collaborate and coordinate. When co-workers get to know each other outside work, they can use their shared experiences, values, and hobbies to make the workplace more cohesive and helpful.

When people have social ties in the workplace they feel like they are friends with their co-workers, are more likely to be engaged and happy at work, and more likely to be driven and dedicated to their jobs. Not only are engaged workers more productive, they also tend to give better customer service. In the hospitality business, where customer satisfaction is so important, people who know each other socially can work together well, which makes for a good experience for guests.

Having social connections with co-workers makes it easier to share knowledge and learn new things. Employees can exchange ideas, tips, and the best ways to do things through casual talks and interactions. Peer-to-peer learning helps both the person and the organisation as a whole grow professionally and improve their skills. Colleagues can also learn about different points of view and new ideas, which can spark imagination and help build a culture of always improving.

People who work in the hospitality industry often have to deal with hard and stressful situations. When things are difficult, it can be helpful to have friends among your co-workers. By building relationships based on trust and mutual respect, people can get advice, talk about problems, and help each other feel better. This sense of belonging and support at work makes for a good environment, which lowers stress and improves general wellbeing.

Hospitality lives on making connections and building relationships. Getting to know your co-workers on a personal level can lead to useful networking opportunities both inside and outside of your organisation. Sharing experiences, going to industry events together, and putting each other in touch with people in the business can help you move up in your job and develop as a person. People can grow their own professional networks through these relationships, which in turn can lead to new job opportunities or partnerships.

Even though socialising with co-workers in the hospitality business has a lot of benefits, it is important to be aware of the downsides. If it is not handled well, too much socialising can make people less productive. Also, the risk of favouritism or cliques building at work should be watched to make sure the workplace is fair and includes everyone.

Making friends with co-workers in the hospitality business has a lot of benefits that make the workplace more pleasant and productive. Fostering social connections can also bring many positives, such as making it easier to share information and improve collaboration and teamwork. It also makes people more interested and engaged.

The hospitality industry thrives on relationships, and professionals can improve their job satisfaction, help themselves grow, and add to the success of the company as a whole by engaging in social interactions. However, it is also important to find a balance between socialising and getting work done, making sure that these contacts don’t get in the way of work.

Written by Jeske Janssens, a Student at Les Roches.