It's healthy to make friends at work!

photo source Livestrong.com

This is a follow up to yesterday's post about toxic friends in the workplace. 

Let's be honest, we all work with people who fit at least one of the categories listed in that article and probably more. 

The challenge is that we spend a great deal of time at work. If we didn't have someone to talk to about those day to day issues (often personal) most of us would not enjoy our work experience. Studies show it's actually healthy to have these work-friend relationships (and even leads to longer life). It's healthy for the employees and the workplace environment.

So go ahead and cultivate those friendships.

Here's a few tips from the Daily Mind to help you become more successful at it.

1. Give people time

If you do not give people any of your time it is unreasonable to expect them to like you. People need time to understand what you are about and who you are. Sometimes all it takes is a coffee and a really good chat to get to know someone. Other times it will take many weeks and months of hard work. Don’t be afraid to give some time.

2. Be honest

There is no point telling someone you are really good at playing snooker if you aren’t. It is dishonest and it will wind up getting you into trouble next time you are at the local pub and your new friend wants to play pool! Be honest with the people you want to make friends with. You always bond closely with people if you share the same interests.

3. Be open

Never be afraid to express who you are and what you feel about a certain topic. If you feel like George Bush is a bit of a war criminal you should be clear cut about it. Being open allows people to see what its going to be like being around you. More often than not they will like you for who you are.

4. Bring food

Whatever situation you might be in it is very important to use food as a friendship builder. Billion dollar businesses have been founded over lunch. Best friends are made over a coffee and a snack. Food is a friendship builder. If you are working late nights at the office try ordering in a pizza and sharing it with everyone without making them pay. This one act of generosity can work magic.

5. Don’t make fun

Quite often people think all jokes are created equal. They aren’t. While you and your already established mates might like to make fun of each other it is quite often the case that a “new” friend will not understand. All it takes is one seemingly harsh comment and you have blown any chances you might have had. If you are going to make jokes, don’t make them personal.

6. Organize things and follow through

Some of my best friends are the ones who got my cell number on the first meeting because we expressed some interest in doing something together. Sometimes it was an indoor soccer team, sometimes it was just going out for a drink. People love seeing that you pay them some interest. Don’t always wait to be asked out, start doing the asking.

Conclusion

There are so many ways to make friends. It does not matter what tricks you learn the best thing you can do is be honest and open and don’t be afriad to start a conversation. Relax and be natural.

Source

I'm Just Sayin!