Sociable grads are good for business

They are used to getting on well with hundreds of near strangers. They are practiced in the art of empathy and are surprisingly good listeners. Humour is never far from their lips, and with their infectious enthusiasm, they are often a pleasure to be around. Many find that hospitality is a breeding ground for great grads because it polishes these exact interpersonal skills.

Energetic Office Dynamics

When a new wave of graduates joins a business, it often takes the energy levels up a notch, both in the office and out of the office. The first instance is important, as shaking up the daily office routine is always healthy, but it is often the case that socialising out of the office is where the real magic happens. This "shaking up" is rarely a negative thing; despite what some employers fear, ambitious grads won't rock the boat in a way that damages stability, but rather in a way that refreshes it.

Nurturing the Social Animal

Many grads are naturally social animals, and their impact in this area should be nurtured by HR departments as a catalyst for bringing everyone that little bit closer. This is particularly vital because loneliness can be an issue for new grads entering the professional world, and social integration helps mitigate this.

It is a cliché, but it is often the younger members of the team who suggest going for a drink and maybe a meal after work every now and again. Many employees with families probably wouldn’t suggest this themselves, but surprising amounts of them would be very happy to “tag along for a while” if someone else has seized the initiative and organised it. Recent grads often act as the social secretaries who galvanise slightly tired teams to get out of the office and actually talk to each other as normal people. They possess a natural knack for how to get on with people they have never met, which bridges gaps between departments.

This natural social agility is a key reason why London event companies are increasingly seeking out staff with high emotional intelligence.

Authenticity Beyond the Office

Getting out of the office is the important part. Too many of us feel a little restricted while we are in our offices. Everything we can say can be overheard by the most inappropriate of people, we don’t feel that we can let our hair down too much and we feel that conversation should be confined to work related matters. In short, we may find it hard to be ourselves when we are chatting to others at work. There are always exceptions, and certainly more companies are encouraging people to bring their authentic selves to work, but for the most part, we can’t relax too much.

When we are out with colleagues in a social context, this is also the case to some extent, but it is definitely true that our personalities can come to the fore that little bit more. This relaxed atmosphere is essential for well-being, especially as we consider whether is mental health a risk for recent grads navigating high-pressure roles.

When you are having a drink in a bar, it is almost taboo to talk about the sort of stuff that you have been droning on about all day. Yes, most people love their work, but not so much that they want to talk about it 24/7. This organic bonding often leads to a happy accident where professional problems are solved through casual conversation.

Binding Teams Through Connection

If companies encourage their grads to be sociable with each other (cross functionally), they will then naturally form social groups outside of work, groups that will invite other colleagues to join in with, thus binding people that little bit closer. Much is said for the guiding impact of experienced mentors, but it is worth asking: are mentors cheerleaders or taskmasters? While mentors provide structure, the impact of the sociable graduate is the factor that binds a team together emotionally.

Retaining the Energy

Employers often wonder: do grads care about perks, pay, or promotion most? While social culture is a major perk, businesses should not save on pay for graduate talent if they want to retain this energy. While millennials are not a panacea for all agencies' problems, their presence is an undeniable boost. It is nice when we feel that we can open up to the people around us. An injection of grads every year can ensure that this energy never leaves our teams.

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