If you work at least 40 hours a week, you likely spend more time with your colleagues than your friends and family, so focusing on building relationships at work is worthwhile. In fact, a Gallup survey found that people with close work friends are more successful. According to the survey, people with close pals at work have stronger customer and/or client relationships, are more productive, make fewer mistakes, and are more innovative.
So, who should you befriend at work? Creating a strategy for forging work friendships can seem transactional or opportunistic, but some people should be at the top of your work friends’ wish list.
Your Boss
Get to know more about your boss than the fact that they always assign time-sensitive projects at 5 p.m. that they need on her desk by 9 a.m. the next day or that they have very strong feelings about the Oxford comma. Your boss is, after all, a person.
How do you become work friends with your boss without overstepping? Start by getting to know your boss’s professional goals and outlook. Ask what they’re working on and show interest in the business — not just your role and career trajectory. They’ll appreciate that you’re curious about the bigger picture.
You also might get some helpful intel about their priorities and business objectives, so you know how to make a bigger impact. When it comes time for reviews, raises, and promotions, your boss’s feedback matters the most because they’re the person who works closest with you — so it’s crucial that they like the work you do and working with you.
The Power Brokers
Don’t be competitive with your peers who seem to be on the “fast track” for promotions and prime work assignments. Instead of viewing these peers as direct competitors, focus on developing strong working relationships with them. You’ll produce better work together and can learn from them.
Building relationships at work isn’t too different from building strong friendships outside of work. Be friendly, collaborative, appreciative, and dependable. Instead of jumping straight into a meeting, make small talk and get to know your coworkers. Remember significant details like their partner and kids’ names, the half-marathon they’re training for, or the fun family vacation they took.
The Office Superstar
Find someone in your department whom people really respect and whose professional values are similar to your own. Learn what the person is working on and more about their projects.
If you have the time, ask your manager if you can work with the all-star you’ve identified. You’ll work on a high-profile project, develop strong relationships with higher-ups, and strengthen your skill set.
A Mentor
When you’re building relationships at work, don’t forget to find a good mentor. You might already have a mentor outside of the office, like someone in your industry at another company, a favorite professor, or even a family member who always gives you great advice. But it’s also beneficial to have a mentor who works at the same company as you because they’ve been there and done that.
Mentors can help you learn the unwritten rules of the office, navigate office politics, and give you the advice and support you need to get ahead. Your mentor could be your boss, an influencer, a peer, or someone who has the position you hope to have in a few years. Get to know them the same way you did with everyone else, but don’t make it weird and ask, “Will you be my mentor?” It doesn’t have to be a formal, Facebook-official relationship. It just has to be helpful.
A Sponsor
Although they both help you be more successful at work, a sponsor is different than a mentor. A mentor gives you ample advice and helps you navigate your work life. A sponsor will advocate for you and give you the opportunities you need to get to the next level of your career, like being assigned to a high-profile project.
A sponsor will also be sure to tell executives about the great work you do and will fight for you to get the promotion you deserve. Get a sponsor by establishing strong working relationships with higher-ups. Give your a-game when you work with them on assignments and long-term projects.
Your Staff
As you start climbing the proverbial corporate ladder, you’ll get your very own team to manage. Your direct reports will be more motivated and likely more successful if they respect you and you have a good rapport.
Little gestures like saying good morning or asking how their weekend was before you go into all the to-dos for the week will help. Find out their professional goals and help them achieve them, give ample positive and constructive feedback, and show your appreciation.
