Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #13 — Making Workplace Friendships

Picture: Counsel #13 — Making Workplace Friendships CR 154.1

We’ve already learned that building friendships at work can greatly enhance your job satisfaction as well as create a more positive work environment. But how can you make workplace friendships? Start with being friendly and positive! Smile! Look for ways to provide support, showing yourself to be a trustworthy, respectful listener. CR 154.2

Building friendships with coworkers outside of the office can be both rewarding and risky. On one hand, it can foster a strong sense of camaraderie, making workdays more enjoyable and productive. It can also lead to valuable networking opportunities and even lifelong friendships. CR 154.3

However, there are potential downsides to these relationships. If friendships become too close, they can blur professional boundaries and create conflicts of interest. For example, favoritism or preferential treatment might arise due to personal connections. Additionally, workplace dramas can spill over into personal lives, making it difficult to separate work from play. It's important to maintain a balance between your professional and personal relationships to avoid these pitfalls.^[147] CR 154.4

“…The sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.”  Proverbs 27:9 NKJV CR 154.5

“In hours of temptation, in a crisis, what a value is a true friend! …. CR 154.6

“A strong, helpful grasp of the hand of a true friend is worth more than gold and silver.”  Ellen White in Sons and Daughters of God, p. 161 CR 154.7

Reflect: In what ways have you experienced the value of a true friend at your workplace during difficult times? CR 154.8