In Part 1, I talked about the importance of adult friendships. In Part 2, I want to focus on friendships at work. Research teaches us that making friends at work can be positive for your career and your well-being. Harvard Business Review states that workplace friendships “are not just a luxury but a strategic advantage.” In fact, friendships at work often lead to higher job satisfaction. Building relationships at work can also reduce stress and increase engagement.
Studies reveal that having a good friend at work improves performance and reduces isolation—especially in remote settings. Often, adults find workplace friendships harder to build than other friendships, because hybrid work reduces the number of informal interactions. Also, some employees prefer to separate work from their personal life.
Some workplace friendships develop naturally. Others form by being intentional about making meaningful connections, such as chatting in between calls or meetings, or by asking questions to find commonality. For many people, trust takes time to build, so the key is consistency. Friendships develop through many small interactions over time—so a simple hello or shared lunch can gradually become a real friendship.
6 Benefits of Friendships at Work
- Higher job satisfaction
- Lower stress
- Increased productivity
- More engagement and camaraderie
- Support during challenges or change
- A stronger sense of belonging
6 Ways to Make Friends at Work
Begin a Brief Conversation
- Ask about weekend plans, hobbies, or pets.
- Follow up on a previous conversation.
- Share something personal about your own plans.
Be Approachable
- Smile and greet colleagues by name.
- Join coworkers during breaks or meals.
- Surprise your colleague with a snack.
Join in Activities
- Attend team events.
- Volunteer for committees or groups.
- Patriciate in office celebrations
Lean Into Remote Opportunities for Connection
- Use Zoom for meetups.
- Use Slack for friendly interactions.
- Arrange a Zoom Tea to cheer up a colleague
Be Authentic & Supportive
- Help a coworker when you can.
- Share resources.
- Acknowledge a job well done.
Create Chances to Connect
- Invite a colleague to get coffee or lunch.
- Suggest having a walking meeting.
- Compliment a colleague