QUALITY TIME VS. GARBAGE TIME

“Quality time” in business is viewed as a must-have for building relationships, but often it is what we refer to as “garbage time” that makes the biggest impact. Workplace quality time typically involves structured, intentional interactions like team meetings or formal engagement activities. While these moments are valuable, they can sometimes lack the lasting impact we hope for. On the other hand, “garbage time” refers to those spontaneous, unplanned interactions—like a casual chat by the coffee machine or a quick check-in while passing by—that often foster deeper connections and build stronger team dynamics. Let’s dive into why “garbage time” might just be the secret ingredient your workplace needs.

How “Garbage Time” Aids Workplace “Quality Time“

In 1988, Gallup started their employee engagement survey called the Q12. In this survey, employees react to twelve statements, indicating their engagement level. Three of the twelve questions are impacted by garbage time:

Q5 – My supervisor or someone at work seems to care about me as a person.

Q7 – At work, my opinions seem to count.

Q10 – I have a best friend at work.

Showing care, making people feel heard, and building friendships all contribute significantly to how someone feels about their job and organization. These elements are impacted not necessarily by that structured “quality time” we mentioned above, but by those small moments we call “garbage time” that, in reality, feel more genuine.

This is not a new idea. It is the heart of what Hewlett-Packard figured out in the 1970s when they embraced the Manage By Walking Around (MBWA) management style. This style assumes that there is no actionable substitute for personal involvement that beats simply walking around to have one-on-one communication with everyone in the company—from the bottom to the top-level employees. 

How to Incorporate “Garbage Time” into Your Management Structure

Amazing things happen when you wander around and talk to people, and those small moments of “garbage time” might just be what your team needs from you the most. It’s the unsung hero of building good relationships, even if it isn’t as satisfying as developing a huge employee engagement event. So, what can you do?

The easiest way to incorporate “garbage time” into your management structure is to actively add it to your daily plan. However, we are not suggesting you pick a 15-minute slot in your calendar to march around the office and force conversations – it needs to be more natural. Such as:

  • Closing your laptop near the end of the day to check in with employees
  • Going to lunch with teammates
  • Taking a walking meeting with a few people
  • Stopping for a brief chat on your way to the coffee machine
  • Walking out of the office with your colleagues
  • Making elevator chat about nothing in particular

So, the next time you contemplate workplace quality time, remember to incorporate “garbage time.” Garbage time is nothing, but as Jerry Seinfeld said so well, “it’s everything.”

At PeopleWorks, we promote an innovative approach to business transformation and leadership development. For more information, book a free consultation with us!

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