Is Working with Friends Important to You?
Philip Wilkerson III, M.Ed
Higher Education Professional | Podcast Creator (Positive Philter)| Career Development Enthusiast | Writer| Passionate About Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion | Public Speaker
I recently asked my LinkedIn network: Would you choose a $100,000 annual salary but work in complete isolation, or would you prefer a $70,000 salary and work with friends? I specifically used the word "friends" instead of just "colleagues" because I wanted people to think about meaningful, positive relationships at work, not just acquaintances.?You can find the LinkedIn poll below:
?Recently, I participated in ProjectConnect training online with potential facilitators from around the country. ProjectConnect is a program designed to foster social connections and build relationships within a community, such as a university or workplace. It involves small groups of participants who meet regularly over a set period to engage in structured activities and discussions that promote deeper connections, trust, and a sense of belonging. At George Mason, the program is organized by the Center for the Advancement of Well-Being and aims to strengthen community ties among faculty, staff, and students.?You can learn more about the sessions for faculty and staff at George Mason University by following the link below: https://wellbeing.gmu.edu/resources-2/resources/projectconnect-for-faculty-and-staff/
?As a ProjectConnect facilitator, I will help lead small groups of faculty and staff in building relationships over five weekly sessions. These groups are designed to foster community, not as counseling sessions, but as a way to deepen connections within the university. My experience in ProjectConnect last spring semester was so inspiring that I decided to become a facilitator myself. During the training, we explored the power of relationships and how deep connections increase well-being and a sense of belonging.?
?This focus on relationships aligns with the U.S. Surgeon General's 2023 report , which found that lacking social connection poses a significant risk to individual health, increasing the risk of premature death by as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day. Furthermore, approximately half of U.S. adults report experiencing loneliness, which is associated with a 29% increased risk of heart disease and a 32% increased risk of stroke.?
When I asked my LinkedIn network about the trade-off between salary and working with friends, I wanted to understand how people value social relationships in their work lives. I recognize that those who chose the $100,000 salary might believe their work and social lives don't need to intersect—they can find social connections outside work. They're not dismissing the importance of personal relationships; they don't need them at work. Some responses also pointed out that $100,000 might not be as impactful depending on where you live or your family situation, highlighting the many factors in such a decision.?
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For me, working with friends is essential. I've worked in environments without social connection to my colleagues, and I didn't thrive. In contrast, my current role at George Mason University Career Services , where I feel a strong sense of belonging and community, has led to tremendous success if I say so myself. I also believe I have a solid connection to the university beyond my department through other opportunities to connect, like?GMU Toastmasters ?and the Black Male Faculty and Staff group,?organized by?Human Resources (HR) | George Mason University . So, when it comes to whether having friends at work matters, It does for me, but it "depends" for other folks. There's no one-size-fits-all response.?
?As you reflect on this question, consider: If you don’t work with friends, how do you recharge your social battery outside of work to avoid isolation? And if you work with friends, how do you nurture those relationships? Lastly, consider how your salary aligns with your cost of living and whether it’s sustainable for you in the long run.?
Reference:
Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community: https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf
Connection expert. Speaker and trainer on creating a culture of connection.
3 个月Philip Wilkerson III, M.Ed - thanks for writing this article and sharing your perspective on friendship at work, and your experience in a ProjectConnect group. Since most of us spend about a third of our lives at work, I agree, that work relationships are really important to how we feel about our jobs, and our overall well-being. Research by Gallup supports this, if you're interested in reading further ... their data shows that having a "best friend" at work increases engagement seven fold, (and increases job satisfaction and retention). Keep me posted on your groups!
Career Practitioner and Instructor | Certified Master of Career Services | Career Coach | Career Counselors’ Consortium Co-President | Relationship Builder | International Educator | Writer/Editor | Working Mama of Two
3 个月It’s great to work with true work friends and I’ve had one experience in my tenured career where I had genuine connections and a sense of belonging at work. Not all coworkers are friends though. It depends on the job, the people you work with (which can be a toss up), and the season of life someone is in too. It’s super ideal to work with *friends* especially if they have your back and it’s a reciprocal relationship. More often than not (at least in my experience), finding genuine friends at work was a rarity so when I found them, I hung on tight. The maturity of the people you work with matters here too and also, if the environment is healthy and not toxic as well.