We can always do a little extra in the office. Extra to get to know our coworkers and colleagues. Extra to expand our minds and consider new possibilities. Extra to spark thought-provoking conversations and foster good communication within the workplace.
In the PR world, reading is like breathing. Consuming the news, sifting through articles and op-eds, editing drafts and pitches- there is a never-ending stream of the written word. With all of the hours we dedicate to reading, it would seem almost counterproductive to suggest that we do more. However, shifting our analytical brains from the routine to something a bit more pleasurable…say in the form of a Book Club… offers immeasurable benefits for us as individuals, and as members of our firm’s team. Here at Buchanan Public Relations, we’ve found that reading is just the thing to help us create a healthier, happier, and better connected workplace.
The Book Club we held a month ago was inspired by a personal relationship between one of our staff members and an emerging author. We had the unique pleasure of not only enjoying her latest novel, but also of being able to sit down with her personally to get her inside perspective. While this event gave us unique insight into the story itself, it was the experience of collectively sharing a piece of literature that we found to be the greatest take-away. Below are just a few of the many reasons that hosting a Book Club at your office could give you much more than just extra reading:
1. Discussions typically held during a Book Club meeting offer the opportunity for a new type of interaction in the workplace, one that will most likely not resemble the type of communication that normally takes place. Book Club conversations are more extended, engaging, and (hopefully) energetic than everyday conversations. Speaking at length about a light topic such as a book opened our office up to deeper communication, and allowed us the time and place to expand upon our thoughts, ideas, and opinions. In a large company, a Book Club is the ideal way to form new relationships. In a small firm such as our own, it served to strengthen the friendships we already have.
2. A Book Club meeting is not only a great exercise in interpersonal communication, but a chance to bring new perspectives to light. Though the story that everyone reads is the same, the subjective interpretation of the book is unique to each individual. A Book Club allows everyone to see how each person is viewing the same story, characters, and tone in a different way. This sharing of viewpoints (in which all are valid and none are incorrect) builds greater understanding among coworkers. When everyone is allowed to present and reason his or her take on an aspect of the book, new ideas are fostered. New ways of looking at things are likely to carry over into work itself.
3. Reading a good book is like pumping iron for the brain! Who doesn’t want employees who use their noodles, and use them often? A Book Club contributes to the professional development of staff members and helps them add value to the firm. . You never know what knowledge will be handy in relation to a new client, or what sort of know-how will impress a potential partner during an elevator pitch.
4. Finally, a Book Club is fun! Our lunch time get-together was a refreshing break from the normal routine. We were able to look forward to the meeting, enjoy our time together, and return to work renewed, our juices pumping from a stimulating collective discussion.
In such a fast-paced industry as public relations, the long-term engagement of a book is a great change of pace. While things such as the news and client needs change every day – and every minute – an absorbing story-line and a communal space to share interpretations provide a valuable breather to employees. We’ve been able to reap the benefits of one Book Club meeting here at Buchanan PR, and look forward to many more chapters to come!
Would you consider instituting a Book Club within your office? Let us know your thoughts!