Friendships at work make you feel better about your job, more creative, able to solve problems more quickly and so much happier. Having friends of any kind–from casual acquaintances to besties–will lead to more ease, meaning and joy in your job and in your life, not to mention help you feel less lonely in this crazy world!
SHOW NOTES
Revisiting the very first episode of Crina and Kirsten Get to Work, our hosts take a deeper dive into material they discussed so many years ago. First, let’s review the three types of friendships, all of which contribute to the ease, meaning and joy we experience at work.
Our hosts wanted to take a deeper dive considering what is something of a loneliness epidemic in the United State. Three decades ago, Gallup reported that three percent of Americans had no close friends. In 2021, an online poll put the number of people with no close friends at twelve percent. And over the pandemic thirteen percent of women report they have lost touch with friends over the pandemic.
Loneliness at work can keep people “out of the loop.” Interacting with other people at work makes the office more enjoyable, it also provides a conduit for critical information. The informal conversations and communications we have with people at work is how information is shared - and friendships really “grease the wheels” of this communication.
Friendships at work create more committed employees, who are more productive and are better communicators. According to the 2021 Workplace Friendship & Happiness Survey by Wildgoose, 57% of people say having a best friend in the workplace makes work more enjoyable, 22% feel more productive with friends, and 21% say friendship makes them more creative.
There are some key strategies to creating friendships at work, according to research by Shasta Nelson, friendship expert, there are three principles behind any strong relationship:
More good reads:
The State of American Friendship: Change, Challenges, and Loss
How Many Close Friends Do You Need in Adulthood? - The New York Times
The 2021 Workplace Friendship & Happiness Survey | Wildgoose USA
Why Having a Best Friend at Work Matters - businessnewsdaily.com
The Power of Work Friends
Frientimacy: The 3 Requirements of All Healthy Friendships | Shasta Nelson | TEDxLaSierraUniversity
Good News--Positive News for Women at Work
The Authentic Leader: Embracing Your Executive Presence as a Woman
Micro Stress; It Might Be More Major Than You Think
Feeling Embarrassed? Make It Work For You!
Silence Isn't Always Golden: Why Women Don't Speak Up at Work
Do Your Work With Love: It Might Just Love You Back
Social Capital: Creating a Culture of Connection at Work
Discovering the Power of Happierness: Unlocking Three Elements of a Fulfilling Life
New Year, New Beginnings: Reflections and Plans for 2024
Unmasking the Workplace: The Hidden Truths We Keep
shEOs in the Boardroom: Cracking the Leadership Code and Unveiling the Secrets to Success
The AI Advantage: Unlocking Opportunities for Women in the Workforce
Romance, Love and Your Work Spouse
BONUS EPISODE: Every Vote Counts
Bitch or Best Friend? Female Rivalry at Work.
Meaningful Work: It Can Turn The Mundane Into The Magical
Play! Yes, You Can (and Should) Be Amused at Work!
The Four Hurdles Women Face at Work
Managing Work, Life and Saying ”No”
Rest Is So Much More Than Sleep
Create your
podcast in
minutes
It is Free
The Commercial Edge: Unleash the Power of People
The emPOWERed Half Hour
Reaching your Goals
Insights@work
Per My Last Email
The Wall Street Skinny
The Ken Coleman Show