Workplace Friendships

They’re More Beneficial than You Might Think

You’re well aware that employees value jobs more when they enjoy good friendships at their workplace. In fact, one of the greatest deterrents to productivity is feeling ostracized or alienated from co-workers. But can good work relationships really make you more productive? Studies say “yes.”

Accountemps with www.SmartPros.com conducted a survey of 150 senior executives from 1000 of the nation’s largest companies and 519 of their full and part-time employees to see whether or not they believed that workplace friendships increase productivity. 57% of executives believed they did while 63% of employees agreed with them.

Max Messmer, chairman of Accountemps, explained, “Colleagues who are friends are more likely to support one another when presented with challenges or new responsibilities, enhancing workflow and team spirit.” He went on to say, “Supervisors can increase camaraderie by sponsoring team-building events and giving staff members the opportunity to get to know each other outside of an office setting.”

But what can you do to build lasting relationships in the workplace? Here are five tips to consider:

1. Determine common goals. Just like most friendships, professional relationships develop as a result of common experiences, perceptions, and aspirations. When building relationships with coworkers look for commonality, especially in your professional goals. In this respect you can work together to achieve your career objectives, providing one another with valuable support.
2. Treat co-workers with respect. Regardless of whether or not you develop friendships with all of your co-workers, you should treat everyone respectfully. While you definitely shouldn’t allow anyone to take advantage of your good nature, you should make an effort to be friendly and polite to all your coworkers. This speaks volumes of your character and will only serve you well in the long run.
3. Avoid both alienation and favoritism. As you build professional relationships, the last thing you want to do is run a popularity contest where cliques are formed and coworkers find themselves either “in” or “out.” You want to foster a work environment where everyone feels welcome and included. If you’re finding yourself on the “outs,” there’s bound to be someone else that you could befriend who shares that experience. And always remember, work relationships should be inclusive rather than exclusive.
4. Demonstrate responsibility. You’ll lose favor quickly if you let your coworkers down. Being late, missing important meetings and failing to follow through on tasks will not help you “win friends and influence people.” Your workplace stock will only go up when you demonstrate responsibility and practice teamwork.
5. Maintain professionalism. When you build close relationships with people it’s common to feel comfortable, casual, and heaven forbid, slap-happy with each other. While it’s great to have fun it’s not good to be slack in your professionalism. At all costs avoid gossiping, sharing off-color jokes or forwarding inappropriate emails. With workplace relationships there’s a fine balance you must achieve between being personable and being professional.

It’s good to know that workplace relationships can help you be more productive. As you strive to turn coworkers into friends, remember that as with all things professional, you must follow a few rules of workplace etiquette in order to take full advantage of those professional relationships.

References
“Survey: Friendships Benefit Job Performance.” 26 June 2007. SmartPros.com.
Koepcke, A.G. “Professional Friendships: The Importance of Workplace Friendships and How They Help You.” 18 March 2007. suite101.com.