The beautiful side of creating friendships at work
Ngengi Karanja a H.R professional during an interview in his office on August 19, 2024
Building meaningful connections in the workplace is important for both personal and organizational success.
Since we spend a significant portion of our lives at work, many of us naturally develop these relationships over time.
After graduating from college, many people in their 20s relocate to new cities for career opportunities, where they must create a new social network from scratch.
In these situations, the workplace becomes a key environment for forming connections.
Activities such as grabbing drinks after work, participating in team sports, or sharing meals offer valuable opportunities to bond with colleagues.
These interactions not only help alleviate feelings of isolation but also promote a sense of friendship and support in the workplace.
Ngengi Karanja, a Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP), emphasizes the importance of workplace friendships, noting that they contribute to both personal and organizational growth.
“When co-workers form friendships, teamwork in task execution improves, leading to enhanced productivity and, ultimately, organizational growth,” he says.
Karanja points out that this is largely due to the deeper understanding that comes with workplace friendships, which creates synergy in completing tasks.
He also mentions that workplace friendships enable better management of workloads, especially in situations where someone is absent, as colleagues can more easily cover for each other.
"Such relationships also promote employee wellness and foster a non-toxic work environment, as people tend to care more for those they are close to," Karanja adds.
Having a friend to lean on during challenging times is critical for both professional and personal well-being, especially when facing career setbacks, he notes.
However, Karanja stresses the importance of maintaining clear boundaries to ensure professionalism and avoid conflicts.
“Workplace friendships require a balance between professional boundaries and personal connections. Open communication and constructive conflict management are key to sustaining these relationships,” he advises.
Karanja encourages everyone to invest in workplace friendships, as they can lead to greater job satisfaction, improved performance, and a stronger professional network.