What I know for sure is that we are happier, and work is easier and better when we work with people we care about. Better yet, when we work with our friends.
I don’t think we talk enough about the importance of having real friendships at work. In the face of the loneliness pandemic, we all know that connection is the antidote. Yet, being friends with people you work with is sometimes frowned upon or even viewed as a way that may cloud your judgment. The opposite is true.
I have built great friendships, friendships that have long outlived the roles or the organizations we worked for. While working with my best friends, I knew I had someone who had my best interest at heart. Someone who understood the challenges I was facing because they were there with me. Someone I could give courageous feedback to and know that they understood it came from a good place. And they did the same for me.
I found the most growth from the feedback I received from my friends. Friends at work have supported me through the most difficult times in my life as well as the most joyous. I don’t know where I would be without the friends I made at work.
I am currently reading a book called How to Be Happy at Work by Annie McKee. She defines happiness at work as “A deep and abiding enjoyment of daily activities fueled by passion for a meaningful purpose, a hopeful view of the future, and true friendships.”
