Lessons from “The Office (US)” applied to work environment
Everyone is different
People are different in many ways. This show focused a lot on gender issues. The first episode after the pilot is “Diversity Day”. And every season has at least one episode on the topic. Race is also a topic since the first season where a basketball game reveals all the stereotypes. And Season 3 starts with an episode on sexuality. There are many conflicts, mostly on this last one, but in the end there is always respect. In a healthy workplace the only questions that matter are “can this person do their job?” and “can I work with them?”.
Teams change
Can you imagine how many times I thought “this team is perfect, I could stay here like this forever”? And every single time someone decided to leave the company, or the higher management decided to shake things up a bit and split the dream team.
Don’t condition your professional progression on the people you have next to you. Of course it is important to trust them and have good team work, but nowadays most progression and raises are made by switching companies. If you like the people, you can still talk outside of work. If you like the product, you can be a client. If you like the company, you can try to create a business relationship. And if both sides are decent, you may even return in the future, more knowledgeable and an asset for your company.
Water cooler conversations are a key moment of life
Work is what makes the money come in, but workers are human and they need to vent. In a traditional office of cubicles, going to the water cooler or break room was a rare chance to see people. It changed a bit with open offices, but still, a formal break between work and leisure is important to keep people focused. And with remote work, we need to create those moments even more.
Also, that uncontrolled moment is a chance to gossip and bond. Five minutes a day of relaxed conversations is better for the mood than a full day out team building. And if bosses think the team needs to lighten up, it is because a boss’ presence by the water cooler cuts the juicy conversation faster than Freddy Kruger’s gloves.
If you have built a real team, you can trust people
This show is about the imminent closure of a small branch of a dying business. Yet, people are always there for one another and no matter what is going on, they always have someone they can go to. They will work together until the end. As long as your life motto is “bother in case of emergency” and not “let the others do it for me” you will always find that helping hand. No matter who you are and what you need.
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