Make Friends At Work….Easily
Having a group of friends at work definitely makes life easier. When you have friends at work, you have people to talk to when you need a break and have people to make lunch plans when you want them. Often, work just feels more fun when you know you have some friends by your side, especially if you have a high-stress job.
If this sounds intriguing but you’re not totally sure how to foster work friendships and a team mentality, here are some tips to get you started.
- Be truly interested in someone— making a true effort to learn about your colleagues can result in great friendships. Try and learn how they got to where they are now, their family, their hobbies — is probably the best way to find out if you’re compatible as friends and also to signal that you’re interested in being friends.
- Offer to Help– If you see that a colleague is struggling with something or if they ask for help, make yourself available. Nothing forges a bond faster than showing you’re there for your coworkers when they need you.
- Be positive– When possible, maintain a happy, positive outlook at the office. It can be tough to relate to someone who is often upset or complaining about work, so try not be that person.
- Don’t overshare—While it is important to be yourself, if you try too hard to develop friendships, you can sometime share too much. Remember, while it’s important to be yourself if you’re trying to develop friendships, sometimes sharing too much can work against you and be a turn off in a professional setting. Let new work relationships develop over time and the personal detail of your life will be revealed in the right time.
