Often a member of the team offers to make me a cup of tea and I always decline. Staff numbers have grown over the last few years and I do not yet know everyone on a more personal level. Meeting staff in the kitchen as I make a cup of tea gives me a chance to have a chat with them and get to know them. Indeed the kitchen is perhaps the only place where staff from across the business regularly interact with each other. Some bosses might be concerned about time ‘lost’ in in the kitchen. They think employees are discussing sports or last night’s TV – and they probably are – but they might also be discussing the solution to a challenge or an improvement to a business process or service.
Our strong company culture and willingness to get stuck in and help out in different areas of the business has been at the core of our success in recent years. A company is essentially a group of people who are working towards a shared goal. Making tea is a ritual that brings people together and as they wait by the kettle they get to know if someone is under pressure and if they can lend a hand.
It’s also important to take a break from the computer screen and think about something other than work for a few moments throughout the day – and get up on your feet. Making a cup of tea is a good opportunity to do that. When I come back to my desk I feel more relaxed and my refreshed eyes often notice things that they hadn’t before. From this week I will be encouraging all staff to take a short break every now and then – and get moving. Our teamwork, productivity, and wellbeing will all benefit.
