On this week’s episode of the Soar Higher podcast, Jason Ballard is joined by special guest Rich Connor, CEO of LockStock. They discuss whether you should be friends with your coworkers. Rich shares his experience in the police academy, how hierarchical differences can impact relationships with coworkers, and how companies are shifting their socialization strategies.
As a business leader, there are a few things to consider when deciding whether you should be friends with your coworkers.
Generational Differences
One of the factors that can influence whether or not you should be friends with your coworkers is generational differences. For example, members of Gen Z are generally more casual at work than their older counterparts. They’re more likely to view work as just another part of their social lives rather than a separate entity. As a result, they may be more inclined to form friendships with their coworkers.
On the other hand, some people prefer to keep their work life and personal life separate. They may feel being friends with their coworkers would make it difficult to draw clear boundaries between their personal and professional lives.
Hierarchy Considerations
Another thing to consider is hierarchical differences. For example, if you’re in a position of authority at your job, it might not be appropriate to become friends with your subordinates. In his career as a police officer, Rich Connor had to set boundaries with his coworkers to maintain a professional relationship and career.
This can differ in the environment you operate in. For example, professors and students have different rules of interactions than military personnel. There may be less need for such clear boundaries in a business setting. However, it’s still important to consider how being friends with your coworkers might impact your relationship with them. If you’re friends with someone who reports to you, it could create tension if you ever need to give them negative feedback.
Changing Attitudes Towards Socialization at Work
Some companies host regular social events or even offer employee discounts at local businesses. If your company does things like this, it’s probably okay to be friends with your coworkers. Many companies are encouraging relationship building to boost retention efforts in today’s increasingly globalized workplace.
There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to whether you should be friends with your coworkers. It’s important to respect other people’s boundaries and Hierarchical differences and to consider whether your company encourages socialization among its employees. Ultimately, the decision of whether or not to become friends with your coworkers is up to you and how it complements your career. But it’s also essential to consider which type of workplace you belong in.
This episode of the Soar Higher podcast covers the main considerations you need to make to succeed in your relationships at work. If you’re a business leader in the Louisville, KY area, contact me, Jason Ballard, to receive business coaching and learn how to navigate social relationships at work. I help leaders cultivate the right skillsets to leverage their work networks to succeed.
