Fri., August 31, 2012 7:40am (EDT)

WORKING: Happy Hour
By Joshua Stewart
Updated: 9 months ago

ATLANTA  —  
Brandon Smith says going to a happy-hour gathering with your co-workers will make you a better team and foster relationships that will enable you to work together more efficiently. (Photo Courtesy of Muriel Miralles de Sawicki via stock.xchng.)
Brandon Smith says going to a happy-hour gathering with your co-workers will make you a better team and foster relationships that will enable you to work together more efficiently. (Photo Courtesy of Muriel Miralles de Sawicki via stock.xchng.)
Happy Hour gatherings have become as much a part of the workday as the morning staff meeting and the brainstorming session. They are often celebrations of a co-worker’s promotion or a successfully completed project.

But it’s Happy Hour, so you’re mixing a potentially dangerous cocktail of business and socializing (and most likely alcohol). Of course, an invitation to a work-related happy hour might really mean you have no choice.

Brandon Smith explains the dangers and perhaps surprising benefits of happy hour.

Brandon Smith teaches about leadership, communication, and workplace culture at Emory University's Goizueta Business School. More of his advice is on his blog and at theworkplacetherapist.com. While you’re there, ask him your workplace or career question. We might use your question on a future radio segment.