Some people say having friends/relationships with people at work is critical to your success and some people think you're sucking up. Should we have work friends?
I worked a shop where we'd go out and bike and bowl and stuff with our store manager. I didn't really like him, but thought I had to (because everyone else did.)
Friends at work … (trusted ones that have your back) makes a job so much more enjoyable. I just move carefully at first to learn who is trustworthy. Sometimes I’ve gotten stabbed in the back but I still like working with people I came to call trusted friends.
I have been accused of “sucking up” by the trader type people. But I know that’s just not me. If I happen to like people in a higher status than myself it’s just real. Faking it is too shallow. I can’t fake a suck up to move ahead. I like them simply because I believe in them and trust them.
Trust does take time and the let downs can be painful and even dangerous. The trick is to master the art of identifying the “professional trouble maker”. They’re out there doing the back stabbing things. They are experts at this game. When I first started my last job I actually thought we were all on the same team. The one common goal was to take great care of our clients. But the professional trouble makers main goal is to step on you so they shine at your expense. Fortunately there are usually more good honest people outnumbering the one or 2 bad seeds.
I don't think it is critical to your success, but it is nice to have. I had a friend for about 50 years, a co-worker I met on my job as a carhop when I was young.
😉
No
You build professional relationships first. It is OK to socialize, but another thing is to "fraternize". Both may lead to friendship, which may be an added "benefit" to the job and may feed to your social "needs.
However, keep in mind, there is a slippery slope with friends at work. The "friends" are also your competitors at work and may be seeking for advancement as you may. Consider that the "friends" may become your boss or vice-versa. Depending on either party's maturity, this could lead to resentment or guilt. For those reasons, I've sought my real friends outside of work.
Friends are hard to find
Who needs close friends at work? You build professional relationships.. period.. I come to work not play or tell my business to people at work who tend to be your friend while holding knives behind their backs.. Mind your business and don’t kaka where you earn your living..
Just be nice
I think having friends at work is important. Just don't talk about work, people you do not like or complain about the boss. Social gathers should be like your gathers with people you do not work with. Enjoy company, go places together, have people over and talk about whatever comes up.