Remote Work Technology

CHAPTER 8The Watercooler Has Moved—Engagement and Socializing Remotely

It used to be that the watercooler was a place for random, impromptu conversations with employees and managers at the office. If you saw someone heading for the watercooler, you might decide to get a drink and head over to strike up a conversation. The term watercooler moment resonates in popular culture. Television shows such as Game of Thrones, Friends, and Seinfeld have been dubbed watercooler shows because people would talk about the previous night's episode around the watercooler with their co-workers.

What this demonstrates is our social nature. We look for a connection with each other, whether it is at work or school or in other settings. Being social and interacting with each other are human nature. It has been observed that when we are not able to be socially interactive, our overall well-being begins to break down in both a mental and physiological manner. People need social interaction in order to remain healthy. A business also needs for its people to have social interaction in order for it to remain healthy as an organization.

I mentioned in the last chapter that a good part of business is built on relationships. That is true in multiple aspects. Building personal relationships with co-workers builds stronger teams. The personal relationships create bonds of trust and a willingness to go the extra mile for a teammate. Good relationships bring good results. Companies should encourage strong relationships ...