Plausible deniability
I love this term.
This idea does get a bit overused, even in work situations where ownership and accountability is avoided due to ignorance. Gone are the days when people voluntarily involved themselves in everything that went on at work. There is a logical explanation for this:
(to use logic notation)
the more involved you are --> the more you learn
the more you learn --> the more you know
the more you know --> the more work you get
So more involved --> more work.
More importantly, does more involved --> more work --> more $$ ?
And does more $$ --> more work ? It's a non-sequitur in my opinion... but I'll leave that up to you to decide ;)
Work Coffee Etiquette
Your manager just invited you and your team to have coffee. Should you get the more expensive, large, organic, skim double capuccino you've always wanted to try, or stick to the reasonably priced flat white? Here are some do's and don't's to make sure your first coffee invitation won't be your last!
- Do bring a wallet in case you're not actually getting a freebie. There's nothing worse than everyone thinking you're a cheapass moocher and freeloader. Besides it's always good to play it on the safe side if the payment terms are unclear.
- Don't order the most expensive thing on the menu if it's not normally your style. There's something fishy going on if a person orders a $7 drink and they won't even spend more than $5 on lunch.
- Do sit closer to the person who organised the meeting. Unless the cafe is small, enclosed, deserted, and there are less than 5 people having coffee, chances are you won't be able to hear a thing for most of the meeting.
- Don't go for seconds if you're not paying for yourself
- Do participate in the meeting and keep your focus. A wandering eye and mind can land you in hot water and could put a drastic end to the awaited coffee shop meetings.
- Don't forget to thank the organiser!
A small gesture such as an afternoon coffee can go a long way to making everyone in your team feel more relaxed and building up morale and relationships within the team.
