The Power of Friendship and How It Grow Your Career
"I don't need to be close to my coworkers, I just came to the office for work, and that's it"
"Every weekend, my old friend would invite me to dinner, but I always say no because I have been too busy with work on the weekdays."
Does this sound like you? Are you the unsociable office loner who "isn't here to make friends?" If the answer is yes, then It's time to rethink this strategy for the sake of your happiness and your career.
Because the fact is, friendship does matter. When we have a foundation of good, secure friendships, everything we do to improve our careers improves. However, basic research suggests this, many people who are focused on their work risk losing touch with their closest social contacts.
Friends are those who are having a vital role in our psychological and physical health. Friendship number and strength have long been reliable indicators of emotional well-being. Beyond the psychological benefits, friendships can impact our basic physiology, as evidenced by studies linking social relationships to cellular-level disease protection. According to research, we are less likely to catch a cold or suffer from acute stress responses if we have a solid network of friends. In a recent meta-analysis of 148 studies, strong social relationships could result in a 50% reduction in mortality risk.
1. Use time wisely
While meeting new people for coffee or having lengthy leisurely dinners may be possible at certain times of life, it is not an efficient use of time for the vast majority of adults.
Instead, try multitasking by developing new (diverse or otherwise) relationships while doing what you were already doing. Working out together, spending time in nature, washing your cars together, or going grocery shopping together are all good ideas. If you already have a child, you might also engage them in the same activity, meet there, go to a dog park together, go shopping for clothes or family gifts, learn a new skill, or share a common interest.
2. Introduce proximity
You may imagine that you seek out friends because of what you have in common, but proximity plays the most significant role in the company we keep. For example, suppose you live in a bubble that limits the amount of racial diversity you experience outside of work. In that case, your capacity to meet and bond with a more diverse set of people will be severely limited.
Also, consider how you can expose yourself to a broader range of life situations. For example, volunteering and community involvement are fantastic ways to meet new people from all walks of life. Still, they are work-related activities if you invest in turning a diversified professional relationship into a personal one.
3. Open a new door
Many people have benefited from friends who, without our knowledge, help us bring ideas and opportunities. Friends would risk their necks to vouch for us to secure contracts, projects, or sway decisions in our favor. A simple word or two can tip the scales in your favor, and if you have buddies who can help you with this, you've struck gold. YOf course, you don’t stomp on gold, do you?
4. Give emotional comfort and motivation:
Keeping a friend who wants to see you succeed close by will help you when you need some emotional comfort. So many of us have that special friend we can call even at 1 a.m. to pour our hearts to and find some form of comfort. When your friends are always there to comfort you, it is good to keep them close.
Other than that, your friends can provide the motivation you need to succeed in your career. Friends can drive you when you don't feel like it, help you put together some resources, and make your goals happen. Never leave friends who support you but instead, reciprocate their support. You can check out some friendship quotes about life that you can also appreciate for their support.
5. It Makes you more creative and productive
Many businesses have created open-plan workplaces to boost cooperation through increased face-to-face contact, despite recent studies showing that this isn't always the case.
The point is that organizations with open offices expect that the more coworkers interact amongst themselves, the more fresh ideas will emerge to help the company become more efficient and wealthy. But, according to Gallup, if employees aren't clear on their expectations, they're more likely to complain to one another instead of brainstorming constructively.
"However, friendships can take on a tremendous dynamic when fundamental engagement demands are addressed, in which casual, friendly banter transforms into inventive discussions about how the team or organization may thrive," says the author. Annamarie Mann, Gallup's Employee Engagement and Well-Being Practice Manager, writes to the Gallup blog.
According to Gallup's research, people who are set up to succeed and have a close friend at work are less likely to look for work elsewhere. Meanwhile, they're more likely to trust their coworkers, give themselves (and their team's and organization's) higher marks, and take risks in the name of innovation.
Now that you know how strong is the power of friendship, connect with your friends, have some laughs, and enjoy the growth in yourself!
If you would like to know how to improve your career life, you could read on our blog and do a consultation with us! Also, follow us at Instagram @baikgp and @ayureadypodcast for more information and extra insights!