Happiness at work often lies within the company you keep. Whether you spend free moments catching up at the coffee pot or laughing at your latest viral video swap, it’s clear that connecting with friends at work makes a significant impact on how much you enjoy your job as a whole.
Recent studies have found that almost 40 percent of people list their co-workers as the main reason they love coming to the office each day, and that these friendships even maintain the power to prevent us from burning out. Yet, according to Ron Friedman, Ph.D., an expert on the topic of work friendships and author of The Best Place to Work, friendship at the office is still one of the most overlooked factors when it comes to creating a positive, productive and creativity-driven workplace.
“Studies show that when we are close to our colleagues, we’re more committed, more engaged, and less likely to quit,” Friedman tells The Huffington Post. “When we feel supported by those around us, we can devote less attention to whether or not we’re fitting in and pay more attention to actually doing our work. We’re also more willing to ask for help, which gives us more resources to succeed.”
It’s also important to recognize that establishing and nurturing these work-centric friendships can be quite different from those outside the office. There are unique boundaries, expectations, dos and don’ts when it comes to professional friendships — even if you hang out like BFFs on the weekends. Learning which elements of friendship matter most on the clock and acting on them could help you increase your workplace happiness, boost your productivity, make new friendships and become the person everyone wants to be friends with in your office.
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Don’t be afraid to be your true self — no filter necessary.
At the end of the day, don’t be afraid to diverge from your work to-do list with your office friends.
“Open up about non-work topics,” suggests Friedman. “Research shows that the more people talk about non-work topics, the more likely they are to be friends. Paradoxically, all work all the time makes you a weaker employee.”
Show them who you really are, because that self-disclosure is one of the most important factors in developing a close bond with another person — even better if they do the same. Whether you’re discussing life outside the job or just sharing the goofier (and typically restrained) side of your personality, know that just being you will help you build a significant relationship in your life that will have a dramatic impact on your work happiness, productivity and overall well-being.
