Making Friends at Work
As humans, it’s natural for us to want to form connections and build relationships with people - whether it be romantic or platonic. But in the workplace it can get very complicated, very quickly. So is it worth it to make friends with your coworkers? For us, it’s a resounding yes.
In 2023, Gallup surveys reported that 17% of American’s are lonely. And loneliness doesn’t just impact your personal health and mental wellbeing - but it impacts your work too. Workers who are lonely tend to feel less creative, are less productive and get burned out. And who feels committed to a company or a job when you don’t feel productive, inspired or connected to your work? Most of us wouldn’t.
Belongingness at work is so important to the overall culture at a workplace. We want to fee recognized, appreciated and connected with those we work with - whether we’re remote or in office. It’s not only important to us as workers, but also to the organizations bottom line. According to SHRM, 85% of people surveyed said having a closer friend at work has positively impacted their career - your friends can help you get ahead!
So what do we do to make meaningful friendships at work and how as leaders can we help foster a culture of friendship and belonging?
For Individual Contributors who want to make friends at work…
Introduce yourself - especially if you’re new! A quick introduction can go a long way to help build relationships - and the best part about making introductions at work is you can ask your coworkers about what they do and how it relates to what you do! Not only do you get to learn about the person, you get to learn about your company.
Invite coworkers to join you for lunch or coffee. There’s nothing easier than saying to a group of people “Anyone want to go get lunch? I’ve been meaning to try out that new place down the street.” You’re almost guaranteed to find someone who feels the same.
Participate in the “mandatory fun” events at the office. I know, I know - mandatory fun can be super annoying but it can be a great way to socialize with coworkers. It can also be a way for you to connect with other people from other departments!
Join a Resource Group if your company offers it. Smaller companies often don’t have resource groups available but may have event committees or culture committees. Join what interests you and it’ll give you the opportunity to meet others who are interested in the same things.
Find ways to connect professionally and personally but don’t overshare. Be mindful of what you’re sharing with your coworkers. Not everyone feels comfortable sharing about their personal lives (like your sex life) so make sure you navigate those conversations carefully.
For Leaders who want to create a sense of belonging…
Ask your team how they’re doing…and not just professionally. Connecting with your employees personally can go a long way to combatting the loneliness so many American’s feel today and boost the connections at work. Even asking how your weekend was or how is your dog can make a big difference. Be genuine!
Ensure everyone’s voice is heard. Sometimes the quietest person can feel overlooked and left out because they don’t have the confidence or courage to speakup. Ask your team individually for their opinions, whether it be through 1:1s or in meetings. Especially when you know that team member may have an interest or experience in a particular area.
Be present - especially during 1:1s. If you’re on your phone, responding to emails or Slack messages while you’re on a 1:1 or just acting eager to get off the call/out of the room…just don’t. If you do need to take notes during a 1:1, just let them know! Ask questions, repeat statements for clarity and confirmation and be thoughtful when responding to employees during those important meetings. Even better - always have an agenda so you can have intentional conversations.
Creating a culture of connectedness starts at the very top. It is up to leaders and executives to lead from the front in building a culture of connection - not just HR or social committees. Establish a shared vision and mission that your employees can get behind and hold true to it!
Recognize your team for being stewards of belonging, in general, recognize your employees. Feedback can sometimes be a challenge for folks, especially when we’re all busy but positive and negative feedback can encourage others to do the same. The cycle of feedback can improve overall team dynamics and performance.
Whether you’re a leader looking to build a culture of connectedness and belonging or an employee looking to make some new friends…having a work environment that encourages relationship building in the way of friendships can make a difference in performance and employee wellbeing.
From our perspective…making friends at work is important and healthy! Just make sure you’re mindful of boundaries - both yours and your peers!
