Chapter 1: The Power of Coffee in Business

Recently, I came across a fascinating research study from a few years back that caught my attention, especially after my previous exploration into caffeine. I assure you, I have no financial ties to the coffee sector.

What role does coffee play in enhancing the effectiveness of business teams?

Researchers at Ohio State University embarked on two experiments disguised as a coffee tasting session followed by group discussions among undergraduates. Participants were provided caffeinated coffee either prior to or after the discussion tasks, or they received decaffeinated coffee. What were the findings?

In the first experiment, those who consumed caffeinated coffee rated both themselves and their peers more favorably. This indicates an increase in team cohesion and overall satisfaction within the group, as well as a perceived improvement in performance. The heightened sense of alertness among coffee drinkers likely contributed to these positive self-assessments.

More intriguingly, analysis of the group discussions revealed that individuals who had consumed caffeinated coffee spoke more frequently. While this could be interpreted in various ways, they also maintained focus on the topic, which is a clear advantage.

Thus, this suggests that caffeinated coffee:

• Enhances team positivity
• Improves performance evaluations
• Boosts communication
• Increases focus on tasks

Could this all be too good to be true?

Further investigation is warranted. Factors such as the time of day might influence these outcomes, or perhaps other stimulants could yield similar effects. However, as research has evolved to highlight the benefits of coffee, it seems that a good cup of coffee could be invaluable for your next team meeting.

Investing in a high-quality coffee machine might just be worth it.

Reference

Vasu Unnava, Amit Surendra Singh, H. Rao Unnava.

Coffee with co-workers: role of caffeine on evaluations of the self and others in group settings.

Journal of Psychopharmacology, 2018; 026988111876066

DOI: 10.1177/0269881118760665

Andy provides daily insights on various topics related to the brain, behavior, and business. Follow him for your daily updates.

Andy is also the author of Leading Brains Review, an online magazine dedicated to discussions on the brain, behavior, and business.