I remember when I was a kid, having a best friend made going to school something I look forward to. The value of friendships is evidently seen in our day-to-day lives.
Photo credit: Katemangostar
At all stages of our life, we meet various people and build connections, including at the workplace. You spend most of your time there so you are bound to make some friends. With all the stressful and frustrating moments in the office, you need an anchor to tune it out. Having friends around is healthy and makes the work a bit more fun.
Workplace friendships offer the following benefits:
-
It creates a professional network and offers a good support system.
-
Improves productivity and boosts the company culture.
-
Increases your job satisfaction.
-
Improves your social well-being by building your network.
-
Makes the office comfortable and stress-free.
The unwritten rules
Workplace friendships are a great way to learn and grow your skills. It can be very rewarding and makes your work experience fulfilling knowing you have people who share similar interests. Some end up being long-term friendships even after you leave the company. If not well handled, they can make your life at work difficult and eventually derail your career. That being said, it is important to understand the rules about having friendships at work. Here are some ground rules for handling your workplace friendships:
Boundaries
It is okay to chat with co-workers and catch up on yesterday’s game. However, you need to recognize when social interactions become a distraction. Your conversation starts and before you know it the day is almost over. The tasks you had are not yet completed. If you procrastinate now, you will panic later. The best thing is to set aside time to connect like on a lunch break or after work. Manage and follow through with the boundaries you set. Your friends may not understand it at first and think you are too strict. You need to remember what took you there.
Friendship goals
Having a network of people you can rely on with certain issues makes you feel secure. You need to ask yourself, “Why are you friends with them?” and “What value are they adding to you?” You need to identify your friendship needs and the value you both gain. For example, it could be that they challenge you to step out of your comfort zone and your positive mindset boosts their morale. Don’t be friends with someone who uses you to get ahead while you are left behind.
Be inclusive
When working on a project, the first people you reach out to for collaboration are your office friends. You want to work with people you trust and connect with which is understandable. The problem with that is it excludes other people who could provide a deeper insight. It would be wise to include other colleagues. It is often the people you least expect that offer the greatest ideas and a new perspective on how to do things.
Avoid gossip
As with other friendships, you can get caught up in hearsay. Some co-workers might even start to suspect that you are the one spreading the rumors and talking behind their back. Your friends say a lot more about you than you think. Being part of the gossip group will impact your credibility with others. No one will trust you with confidential information. If at any point you sense that a conversation is inappropriate and negative, stop it before it gets out of hand. And if that doesn’t work then walkway and avoid office gossip. The workplace is meant for work.
Equal treatment
In a group of friends, there is often that one with whom you feel more connected. Unknowingly you end showing favoritism towards them while making the other feel left out. Being biased will allow room for negative perceptions against you. Treat every member with respect and care. Give them ample time to share their ideas and opinions. Involving each one will increase productivity and collaboration. Everyone has skills that they can contribute to getting the task or assignment done.
No oversharing
You might feel the need to share something personal with them out of trust only for them to use it against you. Don’t trust so easily. Some people have other agendas and want to use you to climb the corporate ladder. Take the time to know your co-workers before sharing your personal information. Be wise and stick to appropriate conversations like hobbies, interests, and so on. Avoid talking about intimate details, bragging about what you own, or sending confidential information.
Your reputation
The company chose you to fill that position because they saw potential in you. At the end of the day, you need to be accountable for what you do. The accomplishments and performance will be evaluated individually. Don’t allow office friendships to overshadow you. You should strive to stand out from the crowd through your work and personality. Be the best and do your best.
In conclusion...
Friends make life and work easier to deal with. Keep in mind that you can’t control how your friends behave or what they say. So focus on what you can control. Maintain the balance between your personal and workplace needs. It is necessary and will help you in the long run. No one wants to lose their career or break a friendship over something that could have been avoided. Don’t let that happen to you. Apply the rules above as a guide to help you manage your friends properly.
