Navigating Holiday Work Parties: A Guide
Author: Jesse Nerenberg, Reg. CASLPO, Speech-Language Pathologist
Date: Wednesday, December 18, 2024
It’s the end of 2024… somehow! The end of the year and holiday season often brings a variety of work parties and social events, creating valuable opportunities to connect with colleagues and expand your professional network and just get a chance to unwind, relax and have fun.
However, for many, these events can feel intimidating or overwhelming, especially when you are unsure of how to navigate conversations and make meaningful connections. As speech-language pathologists (SLPs) at Well Said, we understand the complexities of communication in social settings. Below are some actionable tips to help you navigate these holiday events with ease, confidence, and success.
This blog post was inspired by a recent session I had with a client who wanted to spend a session figuring out how to best navigate an upcoming holiday work party they were attending the following week. I realized that many of the tips I used for general networking were easily applicable to the annual holiday party, which in some instances may be the only chance you get to interact with colleagues in a different context and manner.
Starting a conversation doesn’t have to be daunting. A simple comment or question about the event can serve as an excellent icebreaker. For example:
"How are you enjoying the food?"
"What do you think of the venue?"
"What’s been the highlight of your week?"
“How’s your end of year shaping up?”
“Any exciting travel plans for the holidays?”
Having a few go-to conversation starters in mind can make it easier to jump into any discussion. This will also reduce the anxiety that often accompanies initiating conversation. As well, keep some safe topics in mind. Some of the examples we brainstormed in our session included: work (but in moderation, not everyone wants to talk about work at the holiday party), travel plans, holiday plans in general, New Year’s plans, family plans, etc.
Body language plays a significant role in how others perceive you at networking events. Open body language—like keeping your arms relaxed and maintaining eye contact—signals that you're approachable and interested in others. Avoid crossing your arms or looking down, as these gestures can appear defensive or uninterested. The general rule is: if something is cutting you off physically from others it signals that you are not available to talk.
Practice maintaining an open posture and making eye contact while standing or walking around. Put your smart phone on silent, or do not disturb, and avoid sitting in a corner reading emails or scrolling social media, this sends a clear message that you are not interested in interacting with others, so you will not be approached.
Before attending any event, take a moment to reflect on why you are going. Do you want to meet new people, reconnect with colleagues, or gather information about potential career opportunities? Maybe you just want to have fun! That is okay too! Having a clear purpose helps you stay focused, making it easier to navigate the event and approach conversations with intention.
Set specific, achievable goals for yourself, like introducing yourself to three new people or learning something interesting about two colleagues. This will make your experience more purposeful and enjoyable. In our session we landed upon the following purpose and intention: Get to know 1-3 people I don’t know as well. Have a conversation where I learn 1-3 new things about each person. This goal is realistic and quantifiable, meaning that it will be clear post-party how successful they were at achieving it.
Before diving into a conversation, take a moment to observe the social dynamics. Get a lay of the land. Look for groups that are relaxed and open to new participants—people standing with their arms uncrossed or facing outward are often approachable. If you're unsure, try starting a conversation with someone standing alone, as they may be more receptive to a chat. Meet someone new, approach someone you’ve never talked to before and introduce yourself. Be brave, be generous, and be kind.
Pay attention to the nonverbal cues of others, such as body language and facial expressions, to gauge whether they’re open to conversation or if it's better to wait for a more natural opportunity.
A handshake is often your first physical interaction with someone, making it crucial to get it right. Avoid limp or overly aggressive handshakes, as they can create a negative first impression. Pair your handshake with a warm smile and steady eye contact to further emphasize your approachability.
As well, be mindful that given flu and COVID season, not everyone wants to shake hands, so maybe replace the handshake with a friendly smile and warm hello.
If you know someone attending the event who is well-connected, ask them to introduce you to new people. This can make meeting others much easier and provide a warmer entry into conversations. Be prepared with a brief, engaging introduction of yourself when meeting someone new. Highlight your role and an interesting fact about your work or personal interests to break the ice. Maybe you have been spending all year on an exciting new company project you would love to share, maybe you are new to the company this year and are excited for year 2, maybe you have been at the company for over a decade and are welcoming the new crop of recently hired employees. Use the colleagues you know to introduce you to ones you do not know as well. So, if you see someone you know talking to someone you don’t, join that conversation! You already have an in!
Asking open-ended questions helps keep the conversation flowing and shows genuine interest in the other person. Instead of asking closed questions like “Did you enjoy the event?” opt for more engaging questions such as:
"What has been the highlight of your career this year?"
"What’s the most exciting project you’re working on?"
"How do you usually celebrate the holidays?"
Listen actively to the responses, and be ready to ask follow-up questions. This will help you engage on a deeper level and show that you are truly interested in what the other person has to say. Find that human connection. Be genuine with your questions, ask about things you actually want to hear about.
Networking events are a great chance to meet new people, but it’s easy to stay within your comfort zone and stick with familiar colleagues. Challenge yourself to branch out by sitting next to someone new during meals, joining different groups, or approaching individuals who seem open to conversation. Switch spots in the middle of the meal, if possible! My client noted that during past event, the more “social” colleagues would switch around to different spots, meaning they were able to meet and talk and catch up with more people during the sit-down dinner portion of the event. Practice introducing yourself to people you don’t know. A simple, "Hi, I don’t think we’ve met. I’m [Your Name]," is a great way to start a conversation with a stranger.
Networking isn’t about handing out as many business cards as possible or meeting as many people as you can no matter how engaged you were in each interaction. Instead, it’s about building meaningful connections. Think quality over quantity. Share your contact information only when it feels appropriate, such as after having a substantive conversation.
When exchanging contact details, briefly recap your conversation to reinforce the connection. For example, “It was great learning about your work doing [insert department/field of work]. Let’s stay in touch!”
The best way to approach networking is with a mindset of generosity. Offer help, share resources, or introduce others without expecting anything in return. Genuine acts of kindness often lead to long-lasting and meaningful relationships. All of this can strengthen your relationships with colleagues that can lead to a healthier and happier workplace. Reflect on your own strengths and consider how you might be able to support others, whether through advice, recommendations, or simply being a good listener. Remember: Networking is a two-way street. Be a facilitator too! If you are in a conversation you can pull in another person you know (or don’t) to join the conversation.
This was one concern my client had. They openly wondered what to do if they ran out of conversation topics. The fact is: everyone is responsible to keep the conversation going, it is not all on you. If you run out of topics, someone else will offer a topic. You do not always have to be steering the ship (the conversation). We all share that responsibility.
Social conversation is not based on an agenda. It is fluid and flexible. Adaptability and flexibility are important. It’s impossible to fully plan out social conversations in advance. Another thought we landed upon is that it may be good to include someone you know is active socially who you know will keep things going. Someone with a lot of natural charisma who just seems to keep things flowing (but don’t shy away and over-rely on them!).
Holiday work parties present a unique opportunity to connect, learn, and celebrate with your colleagues. By setting clear intentions, honing your communication skills, and embracing a generous mindset, you can navigate these events with confidence and ease. Networking isn't just about advancing your career; it is about creating authentic relationships that enrich both your professional and personal life. And remember, nobody is actively analyzing your conversation skills. So relax! Have fun! And enjoy the holiday season and the connections it brings.
To speak with a psychotherapist or one of the speech-language pathologists at Well Said: Toronto Speech Therapy, schedule an initial consultation by clicking the link below or calling (647) 795-5277.