The Illusion of Workplace Friendships

It took me a long time to realize that true friendship is nearly impossible to find in the workplace. Friendships, in general, are rare—difficult to build and even harder to maintain, no matter the setting. But in the workplace, relationships are becoming more distant than ever.

Can we even call our coworkers 'colleagues' when collegiality itself often feels absent? Some might say that at least we have 'acquaintances,' but can we truly know someone through a screen and a 30-minute meeting? The reality is that workplace relationships are mostly superficial, dictated by professional necessities rather than genuine connection.

Do we have 'connections'? Maybe. The internet connects us, but it also disconnects us with the click of a button or a power outage. And you know what? That’s okay.

Friendship is a rare gem, no matter where we look. And perhaps, instead of seeking deep bonds in professional settings, we should focus on fostering respect, collaboration, and mutual growth. Real friendships—those built on trust and shared experiences—will always find their way to us, often in the most unexpected places.