Making friends in the workplace can help develop your career and also help you become a great leader. It also has very little to do with influencing people.
That’s because a friendly disposition and sociable presence in the office can create a positive impact on yourself and those around you. Sure, others might grow to like you, agree with you, and support you on your way to the top, but more importantly, having friends at work is good for your attitude, productivity, and even health.
Having friends at work can boost job satisfaction by 50%, and the feeling that you’re being your best self by over 20%. This in turn makes you more engaged, determined, and ambitious. Research has shown that the hormonal-chemical effect of chatting informally in the workplace boosts productivity and lowers stress (hence the health benefits). And guess what? Having friends around you at work makes you more likely to feel you can bounce back from mistakes and take on big challenges.
Banish workplace rivalries
You may be reluctant to buddy up because you sense workplace rivalry, professional competition, or clique-ishness in the office, but a leader – even a potential leader – has no time for competition like this. Today’s leader-in-the-making brings people together.
Sharing and learning to let go of some opportunities in order to develop as a professional can help you to develop a warm and co-operative atmosphere around you at work. If in doubt, be positive, give advice, give help (when requested), give time. All of this can establish you as somebody who is open, approachable and trustworthy. People will start going out of their way to be the same back. Consider being a part of interdepartmental projects so you can meet more people and work alongside them in different dynamics. The people with who you’ll click will sometimes show up in the strangest of places.
Show respect to everyone
It is important to look at every team member as an invaluable component of the workforce. It is also necessary to show you value everyone’s concerns, ideas, and opinions equally.
Learn how to be an active listener. Doing this will help encourage team members to share their ideas and thoughts. Be sure to listen when others talk and that you understand what they are saying.
Building a friendly work environment
Creating this friendly and productive work environment isn’t something that will happen overnight. It will require time and effort to get it right. While this is true, with the tips and advice above, it is completely possible. If you want to ensure your employees are happy and productive, be sure to implement all the tips mentioned above. In the long run, you will find that happy employees lead to an improved bottom line.
You will become a team player at workplace
A team that has good relations amongst its members can achieve more. By befriending your teammates, you will never see your workday as another routine day. Instead, you will want to lend a helping hand to accomplish team goals. Not to forget that – happier teams are an essential component to make a brand desirable.
You will stay prepared
Good friends at work guide you to deal with challenging situations. Conversations between friends at work can often show solutions to many nagging work situations.
Such discussions and inputs from friends will help you to prepare for the big moments. Be it to meet the new clients or face the boss, you are already prepared!