A business trip out of town can be an exciting break from the daily grind.
It’s also an opportunity to get to know your coworkers on a more personal level. That connection will enhance your working relationship when the trip is over if this is done right.
By now, you’ve seen that some personalities tend to mesh well while others clash. You don’t have to “like” everyone to get along with them, and once you connect beyond the surface, you might find that you judged wrong.
Use these tips to connect with your coworkers on your next business getaway. Your trip will be more enjoyable, and your work atmosphere could improve, too.
1. Don’t Be “That” Person
You know who we’re talking about. There’s always that one person on every work trip who has to feel like they’re in charge. They’re delegating everyone’s next move and reporting back to the manager if anyone steps out of line.
There’s a fine line between professionalism and tattletale-ing. If you want to connect with your coworkers, you have to stay away from that line.
Keep your professionalism when you’re socializing. You don’t want to overshare your personal business, drink too much, or do anything that might come back on you later.
But it’s okay to relax and let your guard down a little bit and encourage your coworkers to do the same.
Get to know each other’s personal lives a little bit. You can start by sharing some stories yourself. When everyone else sees that you’re human, too, they’ll feel more comfortable letting down their work persona.
2. Be Willing to Jump In and Help
You don’t have to volunteer for every logistical detail. However, if there’s something no one else wants to do, you can be the hero and step up to get the job done.
As long as you’re comfortable with the job and it’s only putting you out a little bit, the fact that you’ve offered will go a long way. If there was any hostility or awkwardness in the group before, your willingness to step up could thaw that ice.
For example, your travel manager has chosen to use a new platform to book all business trips, like Hotel Engine. No one wants to be the first to learn how to use the site, and you know you’re comfortable with technology.
You can offer to play around with the platform and pass on the basics that everyone needs to know to your traveling coworkers. If you need help, you know how to use the site’s resources to find your answer; then you can share the results.
3. Say Yes to Off-the-Clock Invites
You’re on a business trip, and you have a schedule to stick to. When you’re off the itinerary, though, you can use that time to socialize with your colleagues.
If you’re invited to a meal or to explore the city, consider saying yes to the request. Unless you feel unsafe or as though accepting the invite will put you in a dangerous position, there’s no harm in joining your coworkers.
In fact, this might be exactly the opportunity you all need to connect with each other. Chances are, you’re on a per diem, or the job is paying for your meals and entertainment anyway. Use what you’re given, and you don’t have to be concerned about spending the money.
Have a backup plan to get out of an uncomfortable situation, like if everyone else wants to stay out late drinking and you know that’s not your thing. Ultimately, it’s better to be safe than unprofessional.
4. Be Open-Minded
Are you heading to this trip already expecting it to be a drag? Do you have preconceived judgments about your coworkers making you assume you’re going to be miserable?
Your mindset affects everything, including whether or not you’ll have a good time. Instead of expecting the worst, be open-minded.
Maybe you’ll connect more with people you already like. Or, it’s possible that you’ll see a layer of personality underneath someone you thought was stuck-up or negative.
We never know the whole picture about our colleagues until we dig deeper. And they don’t know the reality behind your work self, either.
If you go in with an open mind, it’s quite possible that you’ll have a much better time than you expected to, and you’ll connect with at least one coworker.
Conclusion
The purpose of your business trip is always to meet the work objective. That doesn’t mean you can’t use the time to get to know your coworkers better, too.
The connection you establish outside of the boundaries of the office can make the job environment better for everyone. As long as you’re getting your work done and remaining professional, it’s a winning solution all the way around.
