Work friends are more important than we may realize. Having friends at work is more than just fun – it makes us more engaged and effective at getting the job done.
Here are a few of the benefits of maintaining friendships with coworkers. How have work friends helped you? What would you add to this list?
Engagement
There’s a reason Gallup’s well known employee engagement survey asks respondents if they have a “best friend at work”. Having a friend at work predicts significant increases in engagement with work. In fact, the research shows employees are seven times more likely to engage fully at work if they have a friend. The sense of camaraderie promotes a shared commitment toward tasks and trust in the team’s abilities. Especially as govies, we can share our commitment to the important service we provide the public.
Support
We rely on our friends at work for social support. This support extends to work projects as well as personal experiences. From cheering each other on to listening and giving advice, our work friends help us keep our heads up and ensure we feel cared for. Though we so often place a divide between “work” and “life” the fact is what happens in one area inevitably has an impact on the other. Having that listening ear or thoughtful gesture from someone we trust at work can make a big difference outside of work as well.
Attitude
Maintaining friendships at work gives us the opportunity to put people first. Our attitude changes from what’s in it for me to a more inclusive and caring perspective. We deepen relationships when we practice kindness and compassion. This motivates us toward giving our best effort.
Make it a priority to recognize, celebrate, and acknowledge your friends at work. After all, work friends help make work worth it!
Danielle Metzinger is part of the GovLoop Featured Blogger program, where we feature blog posts by government voices from all across the country (and world!). To see more Featured Blogger posts, click here.
I enjoyed your blog…we often need to have established places to share ourselves. Too often grapevines form in one vineyard to another and the trust that is placed in individuals is broken.
Forming work place friends is foundational in that the exchange is based on what each has that is alike, common or similar. Trust and honesty are factors to consider when exchanging information. Too often we are looking for a connection to be able to have sounding boards.
Solid relationships form lasting working climates. In forming these relationships we find out how to partner individuals which can be beneficial and influential to an organization in skills and production.
Thank you for sharing your insight, Juli!
Being a friend at work and any place else, means that you must be aboveboard, forthright, and respectful. I’ve learned that when you don’t feel like being polite, courteous, and kind, act that way and the feelings will come.
Well said, Doris! Thanks for reading.