Friendships at work are optional
This is my friend Rohan and I in Tenerife in the 1990s (the last great decade, mainly for my hair, obviously). We both went to the same high school, Rainhill and knew of each other. He played rugby, I played football. That’s how we did it back then.
We started working together shortly after we both finished school at the NatWest Bank and became really good friends. We went to nightclubs and gigs together, and of course, we holidayed together too!
We worked together for about 6 years and stayed in touch before I emigrated to New Zealand. We’ve met up since I’ve been back in the UK, and we picked up exactly where we left off 30 years ago!
Post-pandemic, many people are feeling ever more disconnected from their teammates.
According to research, 69% of employees report dissatisfaction with their social interactions, 43% experience a lack of connection with colleagues, 38% indicate they don't trust their co-workers, and 22% don't have a single friend in their workplace.
But is having friends at work essential?
Well, employees who have best friends at work:
Are 1.4x more likely to receive praise
Feel a stronger sense of well-being
Benefit from 137% more personal development support
Have a 35% higher commitment to quality
Are 1.2x more likely to say that they have the opportunity to do what they do best every day
Are 50% more connected to their company.
Which is great. Yet, many - if not all - of these benefits are also achievable through a dedication to building relationships grounded in respect and understanding, with a willingness to work cooperatively for the good of the team.
Interestingly, friendships can often be a barrier to productive work. Friendships can lead to cliques, in-jokes and cause alienation of others. I worked with a team of 9 people a few years back who were great mates and joked with each other all the time. They loved coming to work but were rubbish at getting work done!
Safety and respect for each other should always, therefore, be the goal, with friendships being optional. Many people just want to come into work, do a good job and then go home to their families and friends, and that’s absolutely fine.
That’s not to say that employees should avoid team-building activities that aim to bring people closer together. They just don’t have to keep getting closer after the event is over!
Collaboration requires relationships, not friendships, although if you’re lucky enough to meet someone you have a connection with, it can enhance your life in so many ways.
My life has been richer through the friendships I’ve built through work. However, my career has been more successful as a result of the people with whom I’ve built strong, respectful relationships with.
Have you built strong friendships at work? How did they contribute to your well-being and enjoyment of work? Did the team flourish, flail or fail?!
