Workplace Traditions And Rituals

In the hustle and bustle of corporate life, change can be both exhilarating and daunting. Imagine being part of a team in Philadelphia, your routines disrupted as new leadership from North Carolina takes the reins. There's excitement, curiosity, and a hint of apprehension in the air. As the dust settles, it becomes apparent that the geographical distance is more than just a matter of miles. The Philly team feels somewhat isolated, a small island in a vast sea of corporate dynamics. But hope flickers when rumors of the new leader's stellar reputation reach your ears. Then enters Andy, the beacon of change, with a reputation that precedes him like a warm breeze on a cool day. He's a man with a vision, but a schedule packed tighter than a can of sardines. Yet, despite his constraints, he sees the value in fostering connections within his dispersed team. So, he orchestrates a small gesture that would ripple into something extraordinary. He bestows upon the senior team member in Philadelphia a simple yet powerful gift—the authority to gather the team for breakfast every week. No agendas, no KPIs, just a space to connect, share, and support one another. And oh, how that breakfast ritual blossomed! Monday mornings transformed from mundane to magical as team members eagerly gathered, their spirits buoyed by the prospect of camaraderie and croissants. It became the heartbeat of the week, a sanctuary where work titles faded, and human connections flourished. In those hallowed breakfast meetings, bonds were forged that transcended cubicle walls and corporate hierarchies. Challenges were met with collective wisdom, and innovation danced in the air like confetti on New Year's Eve. It wasn't just a meeting; it was a lifeline, a lifeline that sustained the team through thick and thin. Years have passed, roles have changed, but the echoes of those breakfast gatherings still reverberate. Team members scattered like seeds in the wind, but their roots remained intertwined, nourished by the memories of shared laughter and solidarity. And as for Andy, the architect of this small yet monumental gesture, his leadership legacy endures. For in that humble breakfast initiative lies a profound truth: leadership isn't about grandiose gestures or lofty speeches—it's about the quiet moments, the gestures of kindness, the bonds forged over bagels and coffee. So, here's to Andy and leaders like him, who understand that true leadership isn't measured in corner offices or profit margins, but in the hearts of those they inspire. Cheers to the power of breakfast, the power of connection, and the power of leadership, one small gesture at a time. #leadership #traininganddevelopment #speaker

Many of us have recently returned from holidays. Some stayed in hotels or Airbnbs, while others had the privilege of staying with family or friends. As recipients of their hospitality—or as hosts ourselves—it’s hard not to notice the effort and thought that goes into making someone feel welcomed and comfortable in a home. This got me thinking: we spend so much time and energy ensuring our guests feel cared for at home, but do we bring the same care and attention to welcoming new members at work? Often, we focus on the logistical side of onboarding. While these are important, they’re only one part of the experience. What about the human side of onboarding? The part where someone new feels 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻, 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗱, and 𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗱? Here are 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗻𝘀 from hosting at home that we can apply to welcoming new colleagues: 𝟭. 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝗿𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝗪𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗪𝗲𝗹𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 First impressions are crucial. Consider creating a personalised "welcome pack" that goes beyond the basics. Perhaps, gather handwritten welcome notes from each team member. This collective gesture shows that the entire team is excited about their arrival. Additionally, if from outside of Singapore, include a packet of tissues with a note to explain why—a nod to the local Singapore custom of using tissues to "chope" (reserve) seats at hawker centers in Singapore. 😅 This not only introduces them to local culture but also adds a touch of humor and warmth. 𝟮. 𝗔𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗽𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗡𝗲𝗲𝗱𝘀 Good hosts anticipate what their guests might need—even before they ask. The same applies at work. Does your new team member have all the tools, resources, and information they need? Have you assigned someone they can reach out to for help? Thoughtful preparation can ease their transition and prevent unnecessary frustration. 𝟯. 𝗣𝗮𝗰𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 When someone stays with you, you don’t just welcome them on the first day and then leave them to figure everything out. You check in periodically, ensuring they’re comfortable and adapting well. At work, onboarding shouldn’t stop after the first week. Make it a point to follow up regularly over the first few months. A simple check-in can go a long way in helping someone feel supported and valued. 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝗽𝗶𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝗺 𝗘𝗳𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁 Welcoming new team members isn’t just the leader’s responsibility—it’s something all of us can contribute to. Whether it’s inviting them for lunch, answering their questions with patience, or simply being approachable, we all have a part to play in making them feel at home. Thoughtful hospitality leaves a lasting impression on guests. A warm and intentional onboarding experience helps new colleagues feel at ease, integrate faster, and contribute sooner. What have been POSITIVE and not-so-positive experiences you have had when joining a new team? What type of Welcome did you receive?

Have you ever thought about the etiquette involved in having a successful coffee ☕ meeting? In this blog article, I discuss how the key to a successful coffee networking meeting is to proactively think through the logistics and how you want the conversation to go. Published several years ago, this is by far the most popular article I have ever written. Month after month, it is the highest-ranking article on my site, which I think speaks to the continued relevance of the topic. Here are a few tips: 1) 𝗗𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗺𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀. Now's your chance to make a good impression! 2) 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴—𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗶𝗿𝗺 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝘀. This is especially important if you meet at a franchise that has multiple locations. 3) 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗼𝘁 𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲. No one likes waiting for someone to arrive. Enough said. 4) 𝗗𝗲𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗶𝗹𝗹 𝗽𝗮𝘆 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗼𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 (𝗼𝗿 𝗻𝗼𝘁) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗹𝗮𝗻 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀. While this topic might sound basic, it is a common question people have, so I discuss several options in the article. On this note, if you're financially secure and meeting someone in job transition or facing financial hardship, keep in mind that covering an extra coffee might be insignificant to you—but buying their own can be a hardship for them. 5) 𝗦𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗶𝗻𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴. Don't monopolize the conversation, and also don't allow the other person to monopolize it either. Practice diplomatic interjections to steer the conversation the way you want to go BEFORE you have the meeting, so you're ready. 6) 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗲𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗯𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗺 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗻𝗲𝘅𝘁 𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀. Don't leave without doing these two things! More detailed information is available in the article: https://lnkd.in/dwTmeD4 What other tips do you have to offer? And what coffee-meeting-gone-bad stories do you have to share that we can all learn from? #networking #coffeemeeting #networkingetiquette #jobsearch

It’s simple: Don’t sleep on the coffee meeting. In a world of endless headline conferences, networking dinners, and back-to-back Zooms, it’s easy to overlook the simplest (and often most valuable) connection of all: the 45-minute coffee chat. I’m convinced: so much of what really moves the needle—new jobs, partnerships, collaborations, or even inspiration—starts not in a conference room, but sitting across from someone over a cup of coffee. Sure, there’s nothing flashy about it. No event sponsor, selfie wall, or press release. Often, there’s no immediate agenda at all. But in my experience, these are the conversations where intent, trust, and sometimes the next “big thing” quietly take root. A few thoughts on why the coffee meeting is still unmatched: 1 – It’s high quality and low pressure. There’s a reason these meetings feel easier: we let our guards down. No need to sell, pitch, or posture. It’s about possibility, not performance. 2 – It creates space for actual listening. The best career pivots, business ideas, were sparked by a one-on-one, not a huge event. With no distraction, you get the rare chance to really hear what matters to someone else—and for someone to hear you. 3 – It’s where “loose ties” become the bridge. Many of the most meaningful opportunities in my career have come from connections that didn’t seem “urgent”—until suddenly they were. The coffee meeting is an investment in the future, not the calendar invite. 4 – It’s personal. In between all our agendas and deadlines, there’s the simple fact that people remember how you made them feel. When you take time for a straightforward, focused conversation, people notice. So as we plan our quarter, build our pivots and search for inspiration, don’t overlook what might seem like “just a coffee.” Say yes more often than no. You never know who’s across that table, or what might come from one conversation. What’s the best thing that’s ever come from a coffee meeting for you? I’d love to hear your stories. Let’s make time for the small stuff—it’s bigger than we think.

Having morning briefings in a café aka mamak 😊 can offer several benefits compared to holding them in the office: Boosts Morale and Engagement: A change of scenery can make the team feel more relaxed and appreciated. It can break the monotony of the office environment and make the briefing feel less like a routine task. Encourages Open Communication: A casual setting can foster more open and honest communication. Team members might feel more comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas in a relaxed atmosphere. Promotes Team Bonding: Sharing a meal together can strengthen team relationships. It provides an opportunity for team members to connect on a personal level, which can improve overall team cohesion and collaboration. Increases Creativity and Productivity: A new environment can stimulate creativity and fresh thinking. The informal setting can lead to more dynamic discussions and innovative ideas. Improves Focus and Energy: Starting the day with a good breakfast can boost energy levels and concentration. It ensures that everyone is well-fed and ready to tackle the day’s tasks. It sounds like a great practice to keep your team motivated and engaged! Have you noticed any specific positive changes since you started doing this?

When I arrived at USPTO in 2018, I was greeted with something unforgettable: a welcome package, a personalized basket, a tour to meet every stakeholder, and even a team-wide pause for a warm “welcome party.” I had never felt so valued on day one. We took onboarding seriously. Every new hire had a “buddy” responsible for making sure these steps were covered before and during the first week: 1️⃣ Build a welcome basket using contributions from the team, our library, and donations. Bonus points for finding out the new employee’s interests and adding something personal. 2️⃣ Take the new employee on a tour to meet stakeholders, visit offices, and share lunch in the cafeteria to encourage quick socialization. 3️⃣ Coordinate a short, in-person welcoming party on the first day where everyone stopped to greet the newcomer. 4️⃣ Schedule longer introductory meetings during the first week with key stakeholders to build context and relationships. The impact went well beyond making people feel good. Research shows that personalized gestures such as welcome baskets increase trust and commitment. Structured socialization practices like tours and team welcomes reduce anxiety, build belonging, and accelerate role clarity. On top of that, buddy programs and early stakeholder meetings provide psychological safety and social capital. Furthermore, studies from Microsoft and Gartner found that employees with a buddy were more productive and more likely to stay, and other research has shown that early supportive interactions predict higher performance and long-term commitment. The results in our office spoke for themselves. We saw virtually zero turnover, had a waiting list of internal employees eager to join, and filled nearly every open position internally through promotions or cross-moves. The culture was so strong that even when I eventually accepted another opportunity, it took a significant offer and a month of persuasion to make me leave. To this day (and no disrespect to my other employers) it's one of those decisions I revisit often and say "what if." Making people feel truly welcomed is not fluff. It is a strategy that builds retention, engagement, and culture. So how is your organization welcoming its new employees? Let's here some great practices that we all can adapt. #EmployeeExperience #OnboardingMatters #CultureByDesign #RetentionStrategy #WorkplaceCulture #EmployeeEngagement

English Below: ბევრ მენეჯერს ჰგონია, რომ როცა თანამშრომლები ყავის აპარატთან დგანან და ჭორაობენ, ეს დაკარგული დროა. რეალობა? ეს კომპანიის ყველაზე პროდუქტიული ზონაა! 😎 👇 📊 ერთ-ერთმა დიდმა ამერიკულმა ბანკმა (Bank of America) ჩაატარა ექსპერიმენტი: ქოლ-ცენტრის თანამშრომლებს, რომლებიც მანამდე სათითაოდ, სხვადასხვა დროს ისვენებდნენ, ყავის შესვენების დრო გაუერთიანეს, ანუ ყველას ერთად მისცეს 15 წუთი ,,ჭორაობისთვის". 📉 შედეგი? ✨ პროდუქტიულობა 15%-ით გაიზარდა! ✨ სტრესის დონე საგრძნობლად დაეცა. ✨ კომპანიამ წლიურად $15 მილიონი დაზოგა. 💡 რატომ მუშაობს ეს? არაფორმალური საუბრების დროს (ე.წ. Watercooler Effect) ადამიანები ცვლიან რეალურ გამოცდილებას, ეხმარებიან ერთმანეთს პრობლემების მოგვარებაში და უჩნდებათ გუნდურობის განცდა. საუკეთესო იდეები ხშირად სწორედ ყავის რიგში იბადება და არა ოფიციალურ შეხვედრებზე! ☕️ 💬 თქვენთან როგორ არის? ყველაზე კრეატიული იდეა შეხვედრების ოთახში მოგიფიქრებიათ თუ ყავის აპარატთან? დაწერეთ კომენტარებში! 👇 #HRრჩევები #პროდუქტიულობა #კარიერა #ყავისეფექტი (English Version) Many managers think that when employees gather around the coffee machine to chat, it’s wasted time. The reality? It’s actually the most productive zone in the office! 😎 👇 📊 Bank of America did an experiment: instead of having call center employees take their coffee breaks individually, they synchronized them, allowing entire teams to take a 15-minute break together. 📉 The Result? ✨ Productivity shot up by 15%! ✨ Stress levels dropped significantly. ✨ The company saved $15 million annually. 💡 Why does it work? During these informal chats (the Watercooler Effect), people share real experiences, help each other solve work problems, and build trust. The best ideas are often born in the coffee line, not in rigid boardrooms! ☕️ 💬 How about you? Have you come up with your best ideas in a formal meeting room or while grabbing a coffee? Let me know in the comments! 👇 #HRTips #Productivity #CareerGrowth #WatercoolerEffect

Imagine a workplace secret from Sweden transforming job satisfaction worldwide. It's not a new tech tool or a management fad. It's 𝗳𝗶𝗸𝗮 – a simple coffee break redefining productivity and happiness at work. In Sweden, fika goes beyond a caffeine fix. It's a ritual where work chatter is paused, screens are put away, and connections with colleagues are deepened over coffee and snacks. This tradition is credited with enhancing well-being, sparking innovation, and bolstering team spirit. Now, it's proving its worth beyond Swedish borders. Like the company Hubble in London, where monthly fika gatherings have led to groundbreaking ideas and stronger bonds among colleagues. Or The Grand in New York, where remote staff connect over coffee, igniting creativity and camaraderie. Research backs this up – a study showed teams taking coffee breaks together are significantly more productive. I get this, because I've seen the positive impact that even non-coffee related breaks can have: in one workplace it was the team lunches at the staff restaurant, at another it was the 4pm soup break (we had an instant soup vending machine). We mostly talked about non-work things, and it just worked. But what about you? Would you take a regular coffee break with ALL your colleagues?

I’ve always framed hosting for Myca Collective like building a product. And one part of that is the A/B test. The difference with IRL is the data isn’t logged anywhere. There’s no dashboard. You measure it in what people do, the energy in the room, the substance of the conversation. I’m constantly testing formats to see how time of day, setting, and structure unlock different behavior. Morning coffee meetups have been the most surprising. Unprompted, women started bringing product samples. Asking for feedback on items not even on the shelf yet. Incredible founders and operators like: - Alana Picov at Good Greed - Nicole Vereczkey at Etelka - Christina Zhang at OOZ - Claire Sinofsky at La Vie Tea - Lilli Gluck at Dilli - Sam Lustberg at Acme Smoked Fish Corp And suddenly these mornings turned into real-time feedback. Early-stage founders sharing with the exact people they’re trying to reach: investors, PR execs, marketers, retail leaders, and consumers. Without the A/B test, I wouldn’t have caught it: the most low-key events are often the most valuable.

"Congratulations on your new job but goodluck finding the bathroom 🤦🏾♀️…" Havs you ever been invited to a party only to show up and realize you were supposed to bring the cake, music, and chairs? That’s exactly how some organizations handle onboarding. A candidate goes through multiple rounds of interviews, gets an offer, and arrives on Day 1, only to find: 1. No workstation, just a lonely chair in the corner. Or worse, they have to sit by the reception for 4 hours on end on day 1 whilst seeing people running around hustling for their workstation 😔. 2. No laptop ohhh "IT says next week… maybe". One whole week of zero productivity, the incumbent will wonder why they couldn't be hired to start a week later then 🤷🏾♀️ 3. No clue where the bathroom is... hope you like treasure hunts. This is not just awkward it’s a terrible first impression. A disorganized onboarding process communicates one thing, "We were not really ready for you." And guess what? That shapes how employees show up every day. A powerful onboarding should feel like a red carpet welcome not a survival challenge. ✅ Prep Before Day 1 If you’re not ready with basics (laptop, access, workspace), you’re not ready to hire. ✅ Top Management, Executive or CEOs 10- 30 Minutes Magic Imagine the impact when the top leaders welcome a new hire personally. It says, "You matter here." We where waiting for you and we are excited to have you onboard! ✅ The "Onboarding Partner" Hack Assign someone to answer the "Where’s the bathroom?" and "How does lunch work?"* questions before they even have to ask. Small things , big comfort. A tour guide to the place. ✅ Culture & Strategy Induction Don’t just throw them into tasks. Help them understand the company’s purpose, values, and goals and what the language and focus of the season is. ✅ Department Leaders as Storytellers Have each leader explain how the new hire’s role fits into the bigger picture. First impressions aren’t just for first dates they’re for new hires too. A smooth, thoughtful onboarding process doesn’t just orient employees it alao motivates them. Nothing kills excitement faster than showing up to your new job and realizing… you’re the only one who showed up prepared. In picture... our recently onboarded Hatch Talent Solutions Vanguards being onboarded into our Group of Companies.