Employee engagement is often measured by receiving regular recognition, enjoying a sense of purpose, and making an impact. However, many managers overlook a critical factor of job satisfaction: having friends at work.
Friendships at work create psychological safety, making people feel comfortable taking risks and sharing innovative ideas. According to Gallup, having a best friend at work is strongly linked to key business outcomes like profitability, safety, inventory control, and retention. A study by KPMG found that 83% of professionals feel that work friendships boost their engagement, and 81% feel more satisfied with their jobs.
While meaningful relationships happen organically, a concerted effort can increase the odds of your team members making those connections. Employees need to feel that it's okay to build friendships on the job and should also be given opportunities to connect outside of their daily tasks. You can foster these relationships as a leader by finding meaningful ways to encourage your team to connect.
So, how can you help your employees build friendships?
Normalize work friends
Sometimes, employees have their own idea of what is considered “professional” and may not know that having friends at work is in everyone’s best interest. As a leader, you can send a clear message that friendships at work are a good thing! Obviously, you don’t want to force people to be friends but consider encouraging them to reach out to one another, have lunch together, or hang out after work. Find the right moment to emphasize the importance of community and networking, perhaps in an all-hands or team stand-up, and remind everyone that the relationships they make now will likely follow them throughout their careers.
Recognize employees
Friendship begins with shared connections and trust. Acknowledging team member accomplishments is not only crucial for boosting personal engagement, but it also helps individuals gain respect and become more relatable to the rest of the team—feelings that can be the first step toward sparking a friendship. Gallup reports that 66% of people in highly recognized teams say they trust their everyday team members. Deepening this trust and developing a culture of mutual respect can create the right environment for friendships to thrive.
Be intentional about connections
Your team probably has diverse personalities: some employees may be outgoing and comfortable reaching out to coworkers, while others may be shy or unsure how to start a conversation. Consider acting as a bridge between team members by creating opportunities for them to connect. For example, if two people share similar passions or hobbies but work on different teams, suggest they meet for an in-person or virtual coffee and point out what they have in common. This can help give them something to talk about, making it easier to connect.
Invest in face-to-face time
A survey by Team Referral Network found that 85% of employees say they build stronger relationships during in-person business meetings and conferences. Consider investing in quarterly on-site meetings and incorporating team outings into the agenda. Think beyond the usual happy hours or dinners and, instead, design experiences that get your employees talking, like an improv class or scavenger hunt done in pairs. These types of experiences are memorable and require your team to communicate in creative ways – which not only improves team dynamics but also leads to stronger, more positive relationships.
Learn together
When employees collaborate on learning, they grow professionally and share a unique experience. Whether it's a new tool or a team-building workshop, learning together encourages open communication and problem-solving, giving your employees the chance to lean on each other and support one another. As they navigate challenges and celebrate small wins, they can see each other’s strengths and capabilities, which can naturally evolve into lasting friendships. These shared learning experiences lay the foundation for stronger team relationships, boosting engagement and collaboration in the long run.
Model friendship
Showing team members you have friends at work demonstrates connectivity as a strength. Remember that your team will always take their cues from you as a leader, so think about who you want to connect with and seek out those relationships. Starting a friendship could be as simple as messaging a colleague a note of support after an excellent presentation or inviting them to your next work event. By making the time to create friendships yourself, you’ll have more authentic advice to share with your team on how they can do the same.
