On top of that, knowing a bit about your colleagues makes it more comfortable to work with them. It will be easier to approach them and ask for help or advice when you need it.

Obviously, everyone isn’t quite that social, so you need to respect the boundaries — your own and theirs. If you can come to an understanding about what can be shared, how much, and when, then you start to see the benefits. The atmosphere becomes more chill, and you’ll have more energy to get stuff done.

Alternatively, you may find out that you don’t want to be around some people, and that’s valuable information too. Some people are toxic, and getting to know them a little bit will help you make more informed decisions in the future. If you never chat with anyone, those toxic people might end up hurting you later.