Have a Friend, Be a Friend... At Work

Do you like your coworkers? We do! Studies have shown that having a friend at work makes you happier and more productive.

A Harvard Business Review article reported that workers who had friends at work were happier in their jobs. “Gallup found that close work friendships boost employee satisfaction by 50% and people with a best friend at work are seven times more likely to engage fully in their work.”

The Huffington Post chimes in too. “Research has found that strong social connections at the office can boost productivity, and could make employees more passionate about their work and less likely to quit their jobs.”

And it’s not just about palling around and having fun at work. It’s about working together towards the same goals and believing in the corporate mission together. Friends, or comrades, at work can fill you in when you’ve missed a meeting, they can help you problem solve a difficult work problem, and you can bounce ideas off of each other so each person is performing at their best.

From HBR; "People in organizations need to work together. So, managers and employees need to foster collaboration, trust, personal relationships, fun, and support." It's simple. If you want your whole organization to thrive, it's in your best interest to promote good communication and teamwork. It starts at the top with your company's leadership and trickles down from there. If you want your employees to work well together, lead by example and provide opportunities for your team to gather, share ideas, and bond as a group.

If you reflect back on some of your most rewarding times in your working life, they most likely include a co-worker, boss, or mentor who helped you achieve your goals or guided you along the way. And conversely, the most difficult work situations often arise when you’re dealing with a cranky or difficult co-worker, manager, or opponent.

We at Unfold have found that yoga brings people together. Before class, people chat as they walk into the yoga room. They bring their work friends who have never tried yoga before. And after class they talk about what they learned and how they feel as they walk back to their offices. It has been reported back to us that co-workers are “nicer" and "in better moods” and are "more pleasant to deal with" on yoga day. It's a small price to pay for a happier, healthier, and NICER workforce.

Gather your office buddies and call us in for a class! We’ll boost morale and help your team bond so you can do your very best work.