We all have our definition of productivity, and projects drive change. I will admit that I am not a "good preacher," and I just had my lunch at my desk yesterday. We started having lunch once every week, even though teams member expressed the desire to be social, I noticed 50% participation rates for the last past 3 months. However, I would like to implement the change of stop eating lunch at our desks, including myself. So, how do I increase the participation rate consistently? Saving Changes...
Is this a goal which your team members have agreed to or are you the only one pushing it? Have you explored the reasons why they are eating lunch at their desks?
Kiron
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1 reply by Simon Olivier Guienguere
Aug 28, 2019 3:15 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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Thanks Kiron,
A collective agreement, actually.
The reason: "I am busy" they said.
Under the constraint of time/schedule, how do we devote willingly and happily 35-59 minutes to have lunch with your peers without talking about work?
How does it help? There is no point forcing them to have lunch with each other.
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1 reply by Simon Olivier Guienguere
Aug 28, 2019 3:24 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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Well Abolfazl, thank for your inputs and your point is well taken.
However, I don't think the intent is to force anyone but rather encourage a weekly lunch together as a team. By the way they wanted this weekly collective lunch unanimously.
Thanks Stephane : way to go, I like it, but I will follow you for implementation.
Saving Changes...
Sergio Luis ConteHelping to create solutions for everyone| Worldwide based OrganizationsBuenos Aires, Argentina
There is no reason to supposse that doing this will increase productivity. The first question you have to do is what does mean productivity for my organization? The worst thng you can do is to stop stablished practices mainly if it will impact to your team members.
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1 reply by Simon Olivier Guienguere
Aug 28, 2019 3:38 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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Thank you, Sergio, agreed with you to some extent. Alluding to productivity, I will add: nor cooping up at your desk implies productivity. Contrary much literature/post have imputed the benefit of not eating lunch at your desk.
Saving Changes...
Eric SimmsSenior Program ManagerBaltimore, Maryland, United States
Is there a particular reason you want your team to be more social? Or do you just believe it's generally better to be social?
I work with Network Engineers, and most prefer to be solitary. Some get together for lunch periodically, but I would only cause problems if I tried to force gregariousness onto others just because I personally preferred it.
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1 reply by Simon Olivier Guienguere
Aug 28, 2019 4:18 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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Thank you Eric, I believe it has some tangibles benefits as "I am a witness tube".
Agreed, this is not a personal goal or preference by no means. We decided collectively to have a weekly lunch:"Bring you own lunch and no work related discussion during the collective lunch time", and all agreed.
Senior Projects Manager | Field & Marten AssociatesNew Westminster, British Columbia, Canada
Invite them out once or twice a week to a restaurant during lunch hour away from the office atmosphere and do not discuss work during lunch but discuss personal things so you get to know each other better. It might not work immediately but it will at some point and one person will spread the word to the other.
Why not organize a shared meal. Like, bring something from your culture or origin. It was done and repeated in a project, it did encourage people to exchange. Did it increase productivity? not sure, maybe better communication.
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1 reply by Simon Olivier Guienguere
Aug 28, 2019 4:20 PM
Simon Olivier Guienguere
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Thank you Vincent for the insights, definitely. We thought about a potluck as well.
Be careful with that approach. While you mean well, they say The road to Hell is paved with good intentions.
It sounds like a great way to alienate introverts. You may not know who they are, but it takes a lot of effort for introverts to be social, even though they may enjoy it sometimes.
At once a week, you can quickly come across as a lunch club to some and taking away personal time for others. You may find that some people are not at their desk now, but are now purposefully avoiding your social hour which is exactly the opposite of what you wanted.
Is this a goal which your team members have agreed to or are you the only one pushing it? Have you explored the reasons why they are eating lunch at their desks?
Kiron
Thanks Kiron,
A collective agreement, actually.
The reason: "I am busy" they said.
Under the constraint of time/schedule, how do we devote willingly and happily 35-59 minutes to have lunch with your peers without talking about work? Saving Changes...
How does it help? There is no point forcing them to have lunch with each other.
Well Abolfazl, thank for your inputs and your point is well taken.
However, I don't think the intent is to force anyone but rather encourage a weekly lunch together as a team. By the way they wanted this weekly collective lunch unanimously. Saving Changes...
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