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  • 24 Feb 2025
  • by AFI

As you navigate the world of work, you may find common interests with your coworkers. You then participate together at social events in private and build a friendship. Spending a huge amount of time in our workplaces, it's absolutely normal that we build and expand our network in our after hours as well.

This article makes us aware about managing our work relationships in such a way that it doesn't affect our career.

We are social beings

Humans are social beings, so building connections is normal after all. It's also proven that we are more motivated when we have built a trustworthy connection with our coworkers. This way we are more fulfilled with our daily activities. We feel more purpose and a sense of being useful.

From my experience, teams that performed better were the ones where the colleagues built strong bonds also on a personal level. There should be barriers though, since if it goes too far, it can affect the work balance.

Benefits of strong workplace bonds

We benefit from a strong workplace bond since we become more motivated and share a sense of camaraderie. Working together towards the same goal makes us feel worthy. We feel that our contributions are helping to achieve something big.

Nevertheless, organizing outside of working hours events like going out for dinner, hiking in nature or team buildings is a huge deal. It's a super good opportunities to find each other's hobbies and passions. As human beings, we are more likely to trust a person more if we know them on a more personal level. Of course, this in the end benefits the workplace trust in each other. Hence our productivity grows.

The thin line between personal and professional

If no boundaries are set, things can go out of hand. It's important to be aware of the thin line between personal and professional. Blurring this line can lead to misunderstandings, conflicts and decreased productivity. There are also the hierarchical structures within most organizations which means some people may have more influence or authority than others. This power imbalance can create tension and make it difficult to maintain a genuine relationship. Let me give you some examples from my career experience:

Example 1: Picture this workplace situation: a manager has in his team someone with whom he's friend. At some point, another person joins and proves himself as reliable and hardworking. The colleague who's friends with the manager, even though he's not doing his job at his best, will still get the promotion. In this case, a hardworking person will feel left out and for sure unmotivated.

Example 2: I've worked in a place where the majority of the coworkers formed couples, some of them even in the same teams/projects. I agree that the workplace can be a good spot to hunt, but this situation kind of crossed the line sometimes. I oftentimes felt like in high-school, not in a professional company. There were many gossips and chit-chats around many people working there, making it a bit of challenge to stay away from those discussions. Not to mention the awkwardness when some couples separated and they avoided to meet each other at work.

So, what is the solution?

  1. Set clear boundaries: establish what is acceptable and what's not in both your personal and professional life in order to avoid confusion.
  2. Focus on shared goals: instead of trying to be friends with all coworkers, better focus on shared goals and objectives which can be achieved together.
  3. Maintain professional etiquette: treat colleagues with respect and professionalism at all times, even in casual settings
  4. Avoid cheeky jokes: always think twice before making a joke about someone, since it may be interpreted in a negative way. I certainly recommend to avoid being flirty with your female coworkers in any scenario.

Conclusion

While it's natural to form connections with coworkers, it's essential to recognize that these relationships are not equivalent to friendships outside of work. Remember that coworkers are not friends in the classical sense, but they can still be valuable professional contacts and collaborators. By acknowledging these differences, you'll be better equipped to navigate your work environment and maintain a healthy balance between personal and professional life.