August 29th, 2023
5 Side hustles to enhance your performance and wellbeing
Property Management
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From coffee breaks to kindness, discover the connecting power of small gestures to nurture professional and life bonds.
It starts with a hello. It really does! It doesn’t even have to be the pitch-perfect “Hello” Adele does — but if you can pull that off…
On a less musical note, genuine connections are built over time, with the spark of small moments of connection. Not much effort is needed to start a chat and strike a friendship, as even a tiny social nudge in the right direction will do the trick.
Moreover, social connections are a proven company culture booster, with people being generally happier at the workplace if they have deeper connections with their peers. A direct result of that being better communication and a boost in output and satisfaction.
To make it easier for you to reach out, all the connection ideas from our list are easy to implement within your day-to-day schedule, adding social value to your time instead of turning it into another task that needs to be done.
You don’t need to be a manager to positively impact your team culture! Going beyond a hello and a smile, this article will give you some funny, smart and good-natured ideas to start and grow a social connection with the people around you.
Get moving with a walking meeting
It doesn’t have to be a 5k hike, an easy walk around the park will do just fine. Somewhat like a glass of wine, walking often inspires chatty dispositions and creativity.
More than connections, you also gain health points since regular walks outdoors have been shown to reduce stress and improve mental well-being.
So instead of having that meeting indoors, why not put on a comfy pair of walking shoes and a smile (possibly a coffee to go) and trek the great urban outdoors while coming up with those big business ideas. Or just go for a short group walk to refresh the mind — that works just as fine.
Try people’s favorite addiction: coffee
A coffee can go a long way in fostering connections with colleagues. You can surprise a colleague with their favourite cuppa, or even take it to the next level and add a coffee order system to your workplace’s lunchroom. This can be as simple as a Canva-designed poster with everyone’s orders displayed.
Make socialising nooks
Designate cozy corners or lounges in your office where people can relax, chat, and connect during breaks.
Imagine your workplace adorned with cozy couches, bean bags and vibrant artwork — a space that beckons employees to step away from their desks and engage in relaxed conversations.
True hubs for creativity, innovation and connection.
Go for a lunch-out
Team lunches don’t have to be pizza in the lunchroom?! Yep, we said it!
Stepping out of the office environment and sharing a meal with a colleague can be a great way to build a friendship. It provides an opportunity to discuss topics beyond work, discover common interests, and strengthen your professional relationship.
Chicken Parma anyone?
Knock knock! Who’s there?
An opportunity to connect, of course!
Humor is a universal language that can strengthen connections. Share funny stories or jokes with your colleagues to lighten the mood and boost happiness in the workplace.
On an even brighter side, keeping it light will also help with creating a cohesive workplace, since humor will improve employee satisfaction and well-being.
A team slack channel for general lols and meme sharing can hit the spot! You can grab plenty of inspiration on the PropertyMe Facebook page.
Bring in board games or card games
Introducing games into the workplace can be an exciting way to promote socialising during lunch breaks. Board games and card games provide a relaxed atmosphere for colleagues to unwind, share a laugh and build connections.
More than casual fun, playing games can improve cognitive skills, enhance creativity and reduce stress. So, it’s not just a connecting opportunity; it’s also good for your brain!
Books, movies and hobbies clubs
Start a club where participants can discuss their favorite books, movies, or hobbies. It’s a fantastic way to discover shared interests and connect on a deeper level.
To start on a simpler note, you can first encourage colleagues to share their musical talents or playlists during breaks. Common music tastes have a unique ability to bring people together and create a sense of community.
🎵 Hello, it’s me 🎵
Wellness groups to achieve common goals
Wellness is a topic that resonates with everyone. Create groups or clubs centered around different wellness activities, from gym sessions and running clubs to yoga classes and nutrition-conscious gatherings. This allows people with similar interests to connect.
Everyone is included: gym-goers, runners, yoga doers, nutrition-conscious and so on.
Mix, match, connect!
Missed Steptember? Don’t worry One Foot Forward is just around the corner!
Donate time, or blood for a cause
If possible, why not help others while creating a (blood) bond with your colleagues or clients?
One donation can save up to three lives, so imagine the impact your team can have by donating together. This not only promotes a sense of unity but also gives something back to the community, giving so much more meaning and substance to every connection you make.
Alternatively, you could donate your time to landcare or a local community garden, at your local Ronald Macdonald Charity House, your local Real Estate Institute chapter or your franchise foundation.
Send a thank you card to Clients
Yet another little gesture that can turn into a powerful tool for building connections. It shows how much you value their contribution to your business and it doesn’t have to include the businessy corporate language–be creative, make it funny, witty or whimsical.
‘I drove past last week and noticed all the new changes. It’s looking great, I really love your new landscaping. Keep up the good work!’
‘It’s always a pleasure to visit a property so well maintained as yours, Thank you!’
Celebrating all the things that matter
Celebrating both successes and learning experiences is crucial in building connections.
Acknowledging achievements and embracing failures as opportunities for growth helps create a supportive work culture where colleagues and clients feel valued and understood.
This in turn will create a positive work environment, improving a team’s morale and engagement, while also making it the perfect environment for close connections to develop.
Adding some simple fields on your employee onboarding docs helps create bespoke birthday celebrations. Try:
- Do you like to celebrate your birthday at work?
- What’s your favourite cake?
- Do you have a favourite lolly, chocolate, snack?
Think outside the workplace
Building connections isn’t limited to your professional environment. Extend acts of kindness outside of work, such as letting someone merge into traffic. These small acts of goodwill can have a ripple effect, creating connections in unexpected places.
Random acts of kindness not only benefit others but also boost your own well-being, as research shows that performing acts of kindness can lead to increased happiness.
In the end, it’s all about small, meaningful gestures and the intrinsic powers that come with it.
Building connections, whether with colleagues or clients, shouldn’t be a daunting task. It begins with simple gestures and can grow into a true friendship that benefits both parties.
So, don’t underestimate the power of a hello, a smile, or a shared cup of coffee — it’s often these small actions that lead to the most significant connections at work and in life.
Wanna go for a walk?
