Should you make friends at work?

There are friends for whom you don’t even need enemies. And how easily we are fooled by mistaking one thing for another. Especially in a work team. As a result, people who spend a lot of time together unintentionally begin to get closer, moving from discussing the news over a cup of coffee to more personal topics. So what about friendship in a competitive environment? Should you approach your boss or is it wiser to keep your distance? We tell you whether it’s worth making friends at work.

Answer yourself, why do you need to study?

First of all, answer yourself the question of why you came to work. If career building is important to you, friends can be an obstacle. This doesn’t mean you have to cultivate insensitivity. It’s just that your friends expect special treatment from you, which means that sooner or later you will find yourself in a situation where negligence, absenteeism or any shortcomings you point out in your work will be taken seriously. Yes, and if your friend-boss refuses to take your position because you are going through a difficult period, you will react the same way.

Maintain a comfortable distance

As we get older, it becomes harder to make friends, so communication at work, where we spend most of the day, becomes an enjoyable outlet for us. Scientists even conducted an experiment where a friendly team showed better performance indicators than a team where everyone was on their own. Hostility, blackmail and distrust were stifling creativity, and the team itself was slow to cope with the tasks assigned to it. From here we can conclude that an “ecologically friendly” communication environment is necessary. However, it is important not to supersede concepts by placing too many expectations on colleagues. Don’t share anything too personal or share your career goals.

Friendship will limit the flow of new ideas

Since friends are most often like-minded people, sooner or later in such a team the manifestation of one’s own opinion, contrary to the point of view of the majority, can endanger the relationship. After all, your friend will sincerely hope that you will support his project out of solidarity.

Friends or rivals?

If you and a colleague occupy approximately the same positions, be prepared for the fact that sooner or later the boss will want to promote or dismiss one of you. Even if you would never betray your friend, he or she may have different views on the matter. A common situation is when one friend rises to the expense of another and leaves them behind. Imagine that your boss is looking for someone for a prestigious job abroad and your friend finds out about it, makes every effort but does not share it with you. Is this treason or not? First, answer this question for yourself and decide what your priority is.

Bosses are bad friends

Imagine a situation where your manager, with whom you have a great relationship, invites you for a glass of wine in honor of a successful project, and fires you the next day without allowing you to say goodbye to your colleagues. . An unpleasant situation, isn’t it? Even if your superiors sincerely sympathize with you, this does not mean that you can enjoy special privileges. Maybe your supervisor has simply ordered a layoff from the department you work in, and while that may not be fair, your friend may have personal circumstances that prevent him or her from making a choice in your favor.