The powerful effects of coffee go beyond energy boosts and its other identified health benefits. Accordingly, managers have been using it as one of the tools in properly handling their people. Yes, you read it right, “a cup of coffee can help you better manage your team as it promotes stronger camaraderie.”
Perks of Coffee Chats
It is not really the coffee itself that is referred to here. But rather, it is the act of taking one or several or sometimes, all of your subordinates out for coffee. There is nothing like a relaxing coffee break to put people at ease. It sets the perfect stage for casually and conveniently discussing issues or concerns at work or work-relationships. The conversation you have with your employees over a cup of coffee also serves as an effective way to motivate them.
Given the mood in a coffee shop with it soothing ambience (not to mention the fact that you are both outside the confines of the office), people tend to be more open to casual, uninhibited tete-a-tete. Over coffee, your chat can run to various topics. With your subtle guidance, the conversation can include work matters. You can glean valuable information about yourself, other employees, the organization, and at times even your competitors.
Listening Well Matters Most
When you invite someone in your team for coffee, always keep your objective in mind: you are there to glean information from the other person. Although this sounds devious, there is no denying that it is the main goal. You are inviting an employee to chat to learn something from him or her.
You may be doing it to help him or her get through the nerve-wracking report sans interruptions and intrusions. Or you may be doing it, so he/she can freely voice out his/her ideas concerning a particular new product, or a way to improve the existing one your company has.
During the conversation, pay attention to his/her temperament at the moment. Take note of the signals that indicate how he/she feels regarding a certain topic. You will also know how stressed he/she is. When you do, steer the conversation to get him/her to tell you why this is so. Through all these, you need to keep your ears, mind, and heart open. Listen closely and minimize interrupting or do not do it at all, if possible.
Coffee, Tea, Chocolate, or Smoothie but “Never Booze”
Who says it always has to be coffee? If you are in UK, a tea break replaces the traditional American coffee break. Or you may even have your chat over a steaming frothy cup of hot chocolate. If you and your employee are health buffs, you may even want to go for a fresh smoothie. Any of these will do except for alcoholic drinks.
Beer politics never work advantageously, especially if you are in the position of authority. Booze of all kinds is taken more for socialization rather than casual but serious conversation. Besides, it does not reflect well on your image and reputation as the manager. Drinking does far more than relax the mind as it can encourage rowdy behavior and uncontrolled emotions when taken excessively—and you will never know how your employees will react to alcohol until they get intoxicated, so better not risk it for his/her/their sake and yours.
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