Making friends at work

Is it easy to make friends at work? Probably not. Should we make an attempt to? Yes. Most people go by the saying ‘I did not take the job to make friends’. But, research says, those who make friends at work or get close to their co-workers, are happier, more collaborative and produce high quality of work.

How does making friends at work help? First of all, you have somebody to fall back on. Corporate jobs can be tough. There is high expectation to perform well constantly. It can be overwhelming, not only for freshers but also for those with years of experience. Having friends makes this process a lot simpler. When you have a bad day at work and want to talk about it, there is nobody better than your work friend to vent to. They get you. They will feel what you are feeling in every way. It is so much easier for them to put themselves in your shoes and give you the advice that you need and not get bored talking about it over and over.

How does having friends produce high quality work you ask? When you are working with your friends, you have a sense of responsibility. You do not want to disappoint them. So you automatically start caring more. Like in every sphere of life. Nobody likes an upset friend. So you make an effort to not mess it up or to give it your best. This not only improves the quality of work but also helps build a sense of belonging within the company.

The best thing about a work place is that it is so diverse. There are people from different geographies, cultures and age groups. There is so much that you can learn from your co-workers. Specially the close ones. They would want to invest time to actually help you with whatever it is that you need and will tell you that you suck if you actually do.

Research also suggests that to have a productive day, you need six hours of social time. It increases your well-being and minimizes stress and worry. Let’s face it, we spend most of our day at work and see our colleagues more than we see our partners or parents. So work can be thriving and productive if you have the right set of friends. Work will not feel hectic or taxing when you share it with people you care about. Plus you never have to eat alone.

There is no ‘how-to’ guide to make friends.Friendships grow organically. You can at least start by building a rapport with your co-workers (if you haven’t already). Here are some quick tips:

• Go on quick coffee breaks
• Help them when they need you
• Bring in food for everybody
• Socialize at work parties

All in all, the key is to make an effort! 🙂

-N