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A group of 19 co-workers from a call centre in Ontario started the year off right by winning a $50 million jackpot together. Of course it was all over the news, and the next day the OLG was running their commercials again where a group of machine workers is fly-fishing in an idyllic river in the middle of nowhere. Fly-fishing isn't exactly what I'd be doing if I won the big bucks, but I started thinking about how much fun it would be to win millions with my colleagues, and then I started thinking how it would just be fun to try. The only issue was finding someone willing to take on the task of organizing.
 
In the end, I knew it was going to have to be me, but it got me thinking about some of the other things I could do in the office that might be fun opportunities to get closer with my colleagues, and who knows, maybe the boss might appreciate them too...
Start a lottery pool in your department. You can be a “Group Play Captain” in your office and get everyone increasing your odds at winning the big one! The more people you get on board the better your odds, and the better you look to your boss for being someone who is reliable, trustworthy, and willing to take on a project, even if it has nothing to do with work. You bring people together, and if you only win $100, you can save everybody their weekly dues.
 
Organize a drink after work amongst your colleagues — but keep it on the quiet. If you work in a relatively medium-sized or larger office, you can usually find colleagues that you should try and create a better relationship with on the whole. The key is inviting people only at your own level. It’s great to go out for drinks with anybody in the office (just don’t drink too much), but the people that you work with at your own level, whether support staff, middle-management, or upper-management, are your greatest allies in the office. That’s because, for the most part, there is a lot to learn and share from them that your superiors either won’t share with you, or it’s probably a good idea you don’t share with them. It doesn’t have to be a secret rendezvous, but keep it kind of quiet. That way, the boss will understand, but not necessarily feel left out. The point is that you’re strengthening relationships within the office.
 
Create a book club. Pick the time frame (some offices and people are pretty busy) and find a few people to get together, whether at alternating houses or the local coffee shop, to talk about books. In my office we have a club, and while not everybody in the office takes part, those of us that do have a great evening out. Believe me, even the greatest book can’t be discussed all night, but it’s a great introduction into some light office gossip, or just some plain old friendly chatter.
 
Keep a list of everybody’s birthday. Well, it doesn’t have to be everybody in the company, but pick a good denominator like your department, division, etc. and see if your HR department or your manager has a budget for either a small cake and/or 15 minutes where the group can get together and celebrate. Even if you just run down to Tim Hortons and get a dozen donuts, each and every person in your office will appreciate being acknowledged on their birthday. You don’t have to sing (that can be embarrassing for some), but create your own traditions, whether it’s balloons, or a “secret” code for the birthday invite like “Special Department Meeting” or “Emergency Cake Session.” Even if the birthday boy or girl catches on, it still adds a little excitement and something to talk about.
 
So, obviously none of these activities involve fly-fishing in a river deep in the woods, but at least they can build stronger relationships amongst your colleagues. Maybe one or two of them may want to go fly-fishing or something equally as enjoyable on the weekend. And then there’s always winning the lottery… jp