When you work with people day after day, you’re bound to make friends. If handled correctly friendships can make work so much more enjoyable, or at least tolerable if you’re in a less than desirable job, but there can also be some pitfalls if you’re not careful.
Some of these friendships in the office will outlive the job; others will not. In either case, office friendships are a valuable part of any professional network and can be a boost to your career if managed in a professional manner. If mishandled they can do a tremendous amount of damage.
What You Need To Know
Beware oversharing
Share with caution. Take the time to get to know your co-workers a bit before divulging personal information and stay appropriate and professional even with those you trust. Have clear boundaries about what is “shareable” and what is not. Think “TMI” (too much information.) Family updates, hobbies, interests, educational pursuits, etc. are all fair game. Illegal activities, intimate details, and “resume exaggerations,” not so much.
Nix the complaining
No matter how well you know your “office friend” don’t gossip or complain about your boss. That’s a big no-no. It puts your office friend in a very uncomfortable situation and could be potentially damaging if your words ever reached the ears of the wrong person. Save your venting for your partner other personal friends outside of work.
Maintain individuality
Be careful that your office friendships don’t obscure your individual accomplishments and separateness. You still need to build and protect your individual reputation on the job. Especially in the beginning of your career, you need to shine and stand out from the crowd. Office alliances are part of the work culture, that’s fine, just don’t let your own contributions become overshadowed.
Watch the gossip
It’s natural and normal for people to show an interest in what other people do and say. It’s not necessarily all bad providing it isn’t malicious, but be careful. Gossip can cause hurt feelings and stir up trouble and office drama create enemies that you don’t need or want. If you stay positive in your office conversations, you’ll never need to defend your words or repair hurt feelings. It’s important to build a reputation as a person who is respectful and who can keep information confidential, not as the “office gossip.”
Don’t play favorites
Try to collaborate with and get to know other co-workers, so that they don’t feel excluded. It’s nice to have a friend in the office, but don’t play favorites. Be very clear that you will not show preference or extend special favors, nor will you cover up mistakes or dishonest behavior and that you do not expect it in return. Remember that when you’re at work, you’re working. Don’t discuss personal situations or concerns at the office even if you have a personal relationship outside of the office. It makes other co-workers uncomfortable and blurs the office/home line.
Diversify friendships
Many of us spend the majority of time at work, it’s true. And the common interests and dilemmas we share with our office friends may draw us together, but having a circle of friends outside of work is important as well. We need to turn off our “work brain” and separate ourselves from work regularly to keep stress at bay. Our “non-work” friends can help us to do that. It also helps us to cultivate a variety of friends, broaden our circle of support and keep our lives full and interesting.
Navigate office “breakups” professionally
It’s inevitable that for whatever reason, some office friendships, like any other, won’t last. When it happens, and it will, it’s imperative to remain professional. Be polite and courteous ALWAYS. No matter what has transpired, do not gripe and complain about your ex-friend to other workers. If the other party is petty and unprofessional, let it go. Stay professional and focus on doing your job. Don’t feed office drama. You’ll save yourself a lot of stress as well as demonstrate that you can handle conflict professionally.
Building friendships at work can be very rewarding in many ways. If handled properly with a professional attitude, they can add a great deal of enjoyment to your work experience, but if handled poorly, they can make the office an uncomfortable, stress-filled place and derail your career in the process. Don’t let that happen to you.
上一篇: 双语阅读:成功人士坚守的6条财富守则
下一篇: 职场百科:办公室友谊7条不成文法则
体坛英语资讯:Kenya team to have good performance at Youth Olympic Games despite missing out in swimming
这些事会让你喝水也增重
日本时装界巨头将成为SpaceX第一位私人太空乘客
To Be the Best One 做最好的自己
敢不敢乘坐泰坦尼克2号?这次可是带够了救生艇和救生衣
国内英语资讯:Premier Li holds dialogue with representatives attending Summer Davos
阿里巴巴强势进军英国!这真是要征服世界了
国内英语资讯:China, Belgium launch new cargo train route
国内英语资讯:China rolls out further tax cuts in support of real economy
国内英语资讯:China, Cote dIvoire agree to promote bilateral ties to higher level
国际英语资讯:UN warns against attacks on residential areas in Libyas Tripoli
国内英语资讯:China, Singapore set priorities for future cooperation
国内英语资讯:Top legislator highlights Chinas adherence to win-win cooperation
国内英语资讯:2018 FOCAC Beijing Summit: What to expect
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses building pilot FTZs toward new heights of reform, opening-up
国际英语资讯:U.S. state announces accord with federal govt on nuclear waste site
Childhood 童年
国际英语资讯:U.S. says DPRKs denuclearization has to come first
国内英语资讯:Premier Li vows to brave challenges, bolster economy
Playing Football 踢足球
国内英语资讯:China calls for further dialogue between DPRK, U.S.
睡不着?也许是因为你太累了
体坛英语资讯:Wang Qiang, top-10 players into semis of China Open
国内英语资讯:Xi stresses aesthetic education for youths healthy growth
为王室身份而放弃社交媒体,梅根坦言很轻松!
体坛英语资讯:Brunei to face Timor-Leste in final leg of AFF Championship qualification
《神奇女侠2》推迟上映,据说是想寻求高票房?
国际英语资讯:Spotlight: EUs Tusk says Mays Chequers plan wont work
体坛英语资讯:Suarez to miss Uruguay friendlies
研究表明 多吃油性鱼类可助降低24%老年疾病