(WWJ) 'Tis the season to be jolly, and to attend a multitude of merry holiday gatherings.
For many, one of those gatherings will be the company Christmas party.
Speaking with WWJ Newsradio 950's Beth Fisher, networking expert Ivan Misner, Ph D, offered some helpful tips on what to do, and what not to do at this year's office shindig.
What not to do:
Don't go negative. As in, don't speak poorly of your job, your boss, or your co-workers. Simply put: "Bad idea," Misner said.
Don't be a suck-up to your boss or company management. "Executives appreciate knowing that their work makes a difference, but don't puppy dog lick them to death."
Don't drink too much. You should limit yourself to two or so alcoholic drinks. "I don't know how many parties I've gone to when I've seen people have just a little too much to drink... and I'm understating that. They get smashed! And it's incredibly embarrassing later, and it's embarrassing to everyone present," Misner said. "Don't drink too much at office parties. You'll end up being the story the next day."
Don't smoke pot before or during the event — even if it's legal in your state. "You wanna be your best. You don't want to be intoxicated or high when you're meeting people; particularly, meeting your boss."
What you should do:
Do speak to higher-ups. What should you say? "Share a specific story about how their big wins this year helped someone or made a difference in the workplace," Misner suggested.
Make small talk, and keep it light. Sports, Meisner said, can be a good topic. Even if you're not that into it, you could check the newspaper and brush up before the event. And don't be afraid to ask questions. "You kind of follow the stream of thoughts like the roots of a tree, go deeper on the topic, ask more questions. 'Tell me more about that,' and 'How did that work for you?' and 'What did you do then?'"
Steer away from politics. "This is a controversial one," Meisner said. "'I'm an American! I can talk about whatever I want!' Well, you can, but should you? Does it make sense? Politics tends to be a natural negative. They either don't care that you feel the way you feel, or they get mad at the way you feel."
Keep in mind that you're, at least in a sense, at work.
