Socialising - during COVID-19 and otherwise
What do we do outside of our work today? (besides cleaning the house and cooking during self-isolation).
Bigger question is accessibility of time. How much time do we have in hand depends on the kind of job we are in and and how busy or productive we are. As it is said being busy is not an external condition. It is the state of mind.
Why Socialising?
If we want to rise and help our organisations thrive, we need to find ways to constantly look for opportunity in a variety of functions, industries and geographies even as we carry out our daily work. Diverse experience strengthens the career growth. Hence learning and socialising becomes very important.
What is the purpose of hobby at work?
Working outside of our core work helps us expand our vision and build knowledge. All of this happens with requisite agreements with our people and explaining them how looking for outside activities is relevant to our job or the skills needed. Passion can be pursued at work. For example, I pursued my passion of developing talent through trainings outside my work. As I call, my hobby at work.
How do we make it happen?
There are ways to expand our skills and connections. How many people do we reach out today outside our function? Our heads are buried in the core and we do not find time or even think of looking beyond.
The job we do today is our core and the activities or skills we learn by working outside our work complements the overall experience and gives us a competitive edge.
Now the question how do we source the outside our work opportunity -
First and foremost explore the passion and connect with like minded
Spread the word
Create a story of how this benefits our development and aligned to values of the organisation.
Creating synergies
Seek help of social media networking tools
Help organisation by creating in-house networking programs
Change partners while you have your meal at work.
What is the investment needed?
10-20% of time investment is good enough for ‘extra-curricular’ activities. We may not have time daily and that is okay. There is no correct time of learning, where ever we are at our career curve, curiosity and learning never does any harm. When we join other network and are able to contribute our best, we explore the untapped potential within that benefits us and the organisation. It all adds up to become an all-rounded mindset.
What next?
Finding opportunity outside the day job may not be easy. Once we are able to to do it, it open doors for many other opportunities. During promotions or succession planning activities done outside the work takes an edge. With the new skills learnt one gains confidence and develops a broader perspective.
Find the time and make those connections outside your comfort zone.
Purpose of Morning brew coffee is to share learnings and experiences that contributes to people development and success.
The views are personal and outcome of the vast and diverse management experience.
For more content visit Personal Branding Consultant and Blog.
Photo credit @Sanjeev Kar
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