We are working and delivering projects in a hybrid environment. Leaders must critically examine what interactions matter most for their teams.
How do you build relationships with your internal stakeholders?: members of your teams (hypothesis: a team is collocated)
I find it fascinating that researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology revealed that communal coffee breaks can significantly enhance productivity (the research was carried out among Bank of America's call center employees). The investigation found that teams taking 15-minute breaks communicated 18% more effectively during work hours than those with staggered breaks. In addition, there was a notable decrease in staff turnover, with a 12% rate for groups taking breaks together versus 40% for others. This enhanced teamwork resulted in an estimated $15 million increase in annual productivity.
In Sweden, the coffee break is not just an ordinary break. It is a unique social event known as Fika, which originates from the old Swedish word for coffee, "kaffi". The tradition of Fika began in the 1900s when factories reported an increase in accidents at specific times: (at) 10 AM and 3 PM. In response to this issue, Fika breaks were introduced to help reduce the number of those accidents. Since then, Fika has become a part of Swedish culture and a popular way to socialize over coffee and pastries (by taking a collective break).
During this ritual, once or twice daily, colleagues gather over coffee, pastries, or snacks and put aside their phones, laptops, and work-related discussions. Swedish employees and their managers believe this practice helps improve well-being, productivity, and innovation by clearing the mind and fostering a sense of (psychological) togetherness among team members.
This is also the benefit of teams and their stakeholders having lunch together in communal areas. Even though we might find ourselves on the opposite sides of a decision, when we "break bread" with someone else, we start to see all the things that make us similar rather than focusing on our differences.
Kiron
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1 reply by Maria Hrabikova
Nov 07, 2024 7:00 PM
Maria Hrabikova
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Thank you, Kiron.
The ‘Break Bread’ point is a valuable idea for me to consider. Until now, I haven’t thought about building relationships with stakeholders from this perspective.
PMO Leader | Speaker & Mentor | Content Leader – PMOGA Latin America
Hub| Catholic University of UruguayMontevideo, Montevideo, Uruguay
As a project manager, building strong relationships with internal stakeholders is critical to success. This involves identifying each individual, understanding their needs and expectations, communicating clearly and transparently, and managing their expectations realistically. To build trust, it is essential to be authentic, deliver on promises, listen actively and recognise everyone's contributions. By involving stakeholders in decision-making and delegating tasks, a sense of ownership and commitment to the project is fostered. In short, cultivating relationships based on trust and open communication ensures a collaborative working environment and increases the likelihood of achieving project objectives.
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1 reply by Maria Hrabikova
Nov 07, 2024 7:10 PM
Maria Hrabikova
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Thank you, Fabian.
I completely agree with you on the importance of open and transparent communication. Being clear about progress updates, budget allocations, and potential risks associated with the project is essential for building strong relationships with our stakeholders.
This is also the benefit of teams and their stakeholders having lunch together in communal areas. Even though we might find ourselves on the opposite sides of a decision, when we "break bread" with someone else, we start to see all the things that make us similar rather than focusing on our differences.
Kiron
Thank you, Kiron.
The ‘Break Bread’ point is a valuable idea for me to consider. Until now, I haven’t thought about building relationships with stakeholders from this perspective. Saving Changes...
As a project manager, building strong relationships with internal stakeholders is critical to success. This involves identifying each individual, understanding their needs and expectations, communicating clearly and transparently, and managing their expectations realistically. To build trust, it is essential to be authentic, deliver on promises, listen actively and recognise everyone's contributions. By involving stakeholders in decision-making and delegating tasks, a sense of ownership and commitment to the project is fostered. In short, cultivating relationships based on trust and open communication ensures a collaborative working environment and increases the likelihood of achieving project objectives.
Thank you, Fabian.
I completely agree with you on the importance of open and transparent communication. Being clear about progress updates, budget allocations, and potential risks associated with the project is essential for building strong relationships with our stakeholders. Saving Changes...
Building relationships with stakeholders often happens over a casual coffee break. To break the ice with a fascinating fact, share the history found on https://connectvending.co.uk/blog/the-surp...ffee-in-the-uk/ from Connect Vending detailing the surprising history of coffee in the UK. Did you know women were banned from coffeehouses in the 17th century? Such talking points turn a simple chat into a memorable connection, making you the most engaging person in the break room. Saving Changes...
Hello Bartolomio, Thank you for sharing the fascinating history of coffee in the UK. These insightful facts are so much-needed ingredients for a meaningful conversation.
Here is another historical fact: Italian coffee is more than a drink - it is a cherished ritual captured in a porcelain cup. Since the 16th century, when coffee beans arrived in Venice via Ottoman trade, this brew has woven itself into the fabric of Italian life. Over time, it became one of the defining expressions of “Made in Italy,” embodying precision, elegance, and artisanal mastery.
At the heart of this tradition stands espresso. Its modern story begins in Turin (Torino) in 1884, when Angelo Moriondo patented the first steam machine for the economic, instantaneous preparation of a coffee beverage, laying the foundation for the later design of the single-serve espresso machine.
Turin’s coffee culture developed alongside another of the city’s obsessions: chocolate. Long regarded as one of Italy’s chocolate capitals, the city cultivated the custom of pairing a square of dark chocolate with an espresso - a luxury that fuses bitterness with richness. Chocolate itself traces its Piedmontese chapter to the 16th century, when cocoa made its way to Italy and quickly won favor with the royal House of Savoy.
If Moriondo provided the machinery, coffee pioneer Luigi Lavazza supplied the commercial idea. Lavazza, originally a chemist, founded his business in Turin in 1895, out of a small grocery store in the city’s historic center. He was among the first to sell roasted beans, pioneering the practice of creating coffee blends. Before that, coffee's taste was unpredictable, depending on where and when the beans were sourced.
Moreover, Lavazza understood that preservation and presentation were inseparable from quality. By introducing oilproof paper packaging and branding it with his name, Lavazza elevated coffee from a commodity to a recognizable product.
The company that followed has still been family-owned, with the third and fourth generations of the Lavazza family actively involved in its management, which is a rare feat in an industry reshaped by consolidation.
The rich legacy and history of the Lavazza brand are curated at the Lavazza Museum, which is housed in a former power station in Turin’s Aurora district. The museum offers a multisensory narrative of coffee’s journey from bean to cup, depicting how a cup of Italian espresso travels from plantation to piazza. The neighborhood itself is often compared to NYC’s Brooklyn for its mix of industrial past and creative renewal, but, more importantly, it reflects the trajectory of Italian coffee: anchored in tradition but still evolving and adapting.
Robert SnyderFounder & President| Innovation Elegance, LLCChicago, Il, United States
Coffee break. Banter. Volleying. Unstructured exploration. Improvisation. Off-script. Yes And. Brick a Brick Not a Cathedral. "I Got Your Back" not "Watch Your Back." Collaboration space. Give every idea a chance. Co-creation. No single point of failure. hashtag "nobody fails" Positive surprises. Upside of retaining V in VUCA. Saving Changes...
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