It’s Party Time! Tips to avoid a holiday horror story…

Holiday parties are a great way to celebrate your year… but know your limits, and don’t forget that you’re still on the job.

We’ve all heard about (or attended!) those cringy parties where the boss made an inappropriate speech or the newest hire drank way too much.

In my former role in Corporate HR, I would always get calls the next morning detailing who got too drunk, who went home with whom, who made insenstive remarks or advances. Sadly, sometimes it was management…and sometimes that led to discipline or termination.

You don’t want to be the one that HR or company leadership hears about the next day. Just like pictures on social media – no one ever forgets the ones that took it far at company social events. You can’t unsee poor decisions and actions.

Remember – you need to work with these people tomorrow, and for the next 365 days.

But it’s also your chance to celebrate! So when getting ready for this year’s party season, be smart, relax a little, be responsible…and HAVE FUN!

Follow these tips to enjoy yourself and make the most out of your holiday party:

Dress for Success (don’t be a fashion dud)

It’s a party and you want to make an impression. But not the one that says you’re heading out for a rave at the nightclub.

Dress appropriately for the function. While you might not want to wear a business suit, if people can see up it, down it or through it… it is not appropriate – just like in the office.

Have fun (but know your limits)

Corporate parties are times where you let down the manager mask and show your personal side. But know your limits – especially when it comes to alcohol consumption.

It’s not ok to get so intoxicated that your behaviour makes others feel uncomfortable. If you wouldn’t do it during the Wednesday morning team call, you shouldn’t be doing it in the bar on Friday at 1:00 am.

My advice: drink a glass of water or two between every cocktail or glass of wine. That slows alcohol consumption and hydrates you at the same time, for the perfect win! And eat, eat, eat – don’t just drink. Pace yourself.

Don’t make it (all) about work

While you’re still the boss, you are outside the confines of the office. That provides space for you to open up a little, be yourself, and fill in the picture people have of you. Although you might not want to spill about your crush on your 6th Grade teacher, you also don’t want to be the boring person talking about how you’ll meet your next fiscal target.

DO make it about your co-workers and employees. Learn more about their personal lives, find connections. If you talk about work, talk about the wins and successes…and their part in them.

Remain positive (and remember others are listening)

Holiday parties are a great time to connect with managers and leaders from other areas of the business. But remember, remain positive – anyone could be listening.

If you bad-mouth coworkers or worse – your boss – it could get back to them, leaving you in damage control for a long, long time.

My advice? Leave it light. Talk up successes, plans for the future, interesting things that are happening in your life – that latest show you watched on Netflix or viral video that has everyone laughing – not how you think the company could be managed better.

Make a new connection (chatting with someone new is always great)

Talk to as many people as you can. If partners/significant others are at the party, make a connection with them. Find out what they do and learn about their lives – that’s a positive impression they’ll take home, talk about, and keep.

Once you get to know them a little, a great way to deepen the conversation is to ask “what brings you joy?” Listen to their answers and connect with their passion. Don’t turn the conversation back to you.

Remember – you are never not the manager

Once you agree to a management role, the expectations follow you to every work situation – including after-hour parties.

Managers need to answer to higher standards. If you’re a new manager, especially if you have recently made the transition from the ranks up to management, you have new responsibilities at the office party.

At its best, the corporate holiday party is a chance to come together as a team, celebrate your efforts, and let loose a little outside the confines of the office. At its worst, it’s a career-ender if you take the fun too far.

So go ahead, have a great time, follow these tips, and make this year’s holiday party a smashing success all around!