I am here to tell you that friendships in the workplace are a legitimate performance strategy. Have I piqued your interest? Think of this in terms of “surviving work” vs. “enjoying work.”
Work can be stressful and often isolating, especially given our industry and the nature of what we do. We often carry the mental load of classified work, which doesn’t exactly lead to normal conversations within the workplace. Coming home and saying how our days were doesn’t always provide the kind of venting required to help with the mental health weight and burnout.
Having a work best friend can help normalize the hard days, make stressful moments lighter, and give you a safe place to vent. I understand not wanting to pal around and strictly focusing on getting your work done. I understand that chit-chat feels like a waste of time and that your coworkers aren’t people you want to be friends with.
But stay with me: what if you changed that mindset by building a “work village” to help you through the long days? You might not have much in common with your desk mate who is ten years your senior, but maybe, JUST MAYBE, you do. Behind many confident professionals is a great hype man in the cubicle next door.
Benefits of a Work Bestie
Let’s talk about more ways work besties can make things more bearable while also inspiring career growth and confidence.
Bearable
- Insider jokes
- Shared glances during long meetings
- Coffee runs
- “Are you seeing this?” Teams messages
Career Growth & Confidence
- Pushing you to speak up in meetings
- Encouraging you to apply for that promotion
- Helping you prep for presentations
- Sharing opportunities
While all this is true, I do want to add a quick disclaimer here about boundaries and the healthy side of work connections. Not every coworker has to be your best friend; professional boundaries matter. It is important to keep in mind that avoiding cliques and exclusivity should always be tied to respecting workplace policies. But look up, share a story about yourself, and start connecting! Promotions matter. Titles matter. But the person who messages you “we survived that meeting” may matter more.
