Should You Be Friends with Your Colleagues?
Exploring the Nuances of Workplace Friendships.
Do you need to have friendships at work, or are colleagues enough?
It's a question that strikes a chord with many professionals, and in today’s podcast, my friends AJ Thomas and Q Hamirani riffed with me on it.
My Own Experience
I’ve run my own business for over a decade, and my only colleague is my (amazing) wife.
Naturally, we have a strong friendship at work (and, fortunately, a great marriage, too). But casting my mind back to my corporate days, my stint at Ticketmaster stands out.
Those seven years were some of the most fun and productive of my career, largely due to the friendships I forged there.
From my first job out of college at a technical recruiting agency in LA, where our tight-knit team of young East Coast transplants became lifelong friends, to the lasting bonds I formed at Ticketmaster, friendships have always played a crucial role in my work life.
“It's not a requirement, but it makes work more enjoyable when you have people you care about inside and outside of work.” – Lars Schmidt
The Gallup Factor
Interestingly, Gallup includes a question in their employee engagement surveys that asks, “Do you have a best friend at work?”
This speaks volumes about the importance of workplace friendships.
Trust, openness, and mutual support are the bedrock of these relationships.
They keep you sane, provide a sounding board, and make the daily grind a bit more bearable.
Leadership and Friendships: A Delicate Balance
However, as you climb the corporate ladder, maintaining friendships becomes trickier.
In executive roles, like being a Chief People Officer, you must balance openness with the need to maintain professional boundaries.
Layoffs, tough decisions, and other high-stress situations can strain friendships. It's not that you can’t have friends; it’s just that the dynamics change.
“You can be friends, but you’ve got to also be real if you want to run a business and do that.” – Q Hamirani
The People Perspective
From an HR standpoint, there are varying opinions on friendships at work.
Some traditionalists believe HR should avoid friendships to maintain objectivity and authority.
Personally, I think that’s nonsense.
Building trust and genuine connections can enhance influence and leadership effectiveness.
Still, it's essential to navigate these relationships carefully to avoid perceptions of favoritism or conflicts of interest.
“If I can connect with employees and they can trust me, I’m in a better position to lead by example.” – Lars Schmidt
The Startup Scenario
Startups often begin with friends taking a chance on a shared vision. This can be both a strength and a vulnerability. Co-founding a company with friends can lead to incredible synergy, but it also carries the risk of personal relationships interfering with business decisions. It’s a fine line to walk.
The Reality Check
At the end of the day, work friendships can enrich your professional life, but they’re not without challenges.
Whether it’s managing the balance as a leader, ensuring team dynamics remain professional, or deciding whether to bring a friend into your startup, it’s all about clear communication and setting boundaries.
“Work can suck sometimes. Friends can make it better. Try not to make work your life because friends are everywhere.” – AJ Thomas
Final Thoughts
To wrap up, having friends at work can enhance your job satisfaction and overall happiness.
Just be mindful of the potential pitfalls and navigate these relationships with care.
📆 You’re Invited: The Riff Live!
(Friday, August 9th 2:30-3:30pm ET)
Want more of The Riff?
Join us for a live recording where co-hosts AJ Thomas, Q Hamirani, and Lars Schmidt will riff on current events and topics impacting the world of work.
This is an experimental new format in which we'll interact directly with the audience via chat.
If you have a topic or story you'd like our perspective on, be sure to add it to the comments during the broadcast.
We hope to see you there!