Why Should I Care About a Best Friend at Work
A lot of people roll their eyes when they see that question pop up in an engagement survey.
Do you have a best friend at work?
It feels like a stretch. Like something that belongs in high school, not a grown-up workplace. But it’s not a throwaway question. It’s a clue.
Gallup found that people who said yes to that question are:
43% more likely to get praise for their work
37% more likely to feel encouraged in their development
96% more likely to say they’re satisfied with their life
That’s not fluff. That’s function, because we are wired for connection. Not just to feel seen but to matter. Tom Rath puts it best in Vital Friends, we all need someone who needs us. Someone who checks in, who backs us when the rest of the room goes quiet, who trusts us enough to say what’s really going on. And who trusts us enough to hear it back.
That’s what a true friend at work does. They’re not just a teammate. They’re a confidant. Someone you can talk to when things feel hard or heavy. Someone who helps you carry the load, not just get through the task.
People with a true friend at work are:
50% more likely to feel aligned with their organisation’s mission
35% less likely to be actively job hunting
Trust doesn’t come from org charts. It comes
Trust doesn’t come from org charts. It comes from the small stuff. The “how are you really?” moments. The late nights. The laugh-while-you-work days.
I’ve had the good fortune of working alongside some incredible people over the years. Many of them I count as friends.. The ones who made the hard days lighter, and the good days even better.
This post is for them.
If someone at work helps you feel like you matter. Take a moment to let them know.