Feel the Learn: 12 May 25 - You’ve Got a Friend at the Office
This is a weekly series where we share growth-focused content for executive managers that you can read, watch, and/or listen to (based on your preferred learning style).
It’s as true in war as it is in corporate, the strongest bonds are forged in battle. I’ve been thinking about workplace friendships because a former colleague recently suggested that I reconnect with a mutual former colleague. That snowballed into days of texts and LinkedIn messages aimed at reconnecting with former colleagues.
I made a video about it for my LinkedIn!
Executive managers should consider how a Workplace Friendship metric, when assessed against other metrics, could inform their understanding of their workforce. In general, leaders should aim to cultivate work environments that (1) facilitate workplace friendships (2) through shared positive experiences (vs. commiseration). It improves productivity & efficiency, engagement, retention, hiring… all of which means stronger growth and lowered operational costs.
This week, consider the role or camaraderie in business success. Below are three pieces of content that analyze, contextualize, and demonstrate the impact of workplace friendships.
Take a few minutes this week to Feel the Learn.
READ
Article: Medium | Leading with Trust: It’s Built in the Trenches, Not the Boardroom
Luke Sorensen shares key career moments.
Topic: Trust, Vulnerability, Camaraderie
Useful for: Relationship Management, Trust Building
Time: 5 - 7 min read
TLDR: Leadership Coach and Business Strategist Luke Sorensen reflects on notable moments in his career that taught him five important lessons about building trust with co-workers.
Serg’s Take: A generally good reminder for executives and management that talk doesn’t build trust, and that you must regularly be taking action with your team so you cultivate (and model) trust.
Check out more posts from Luke Sorensen on Medium.
WATCH
Video: Tina Fey | Good Hang with Amy Poehler
Amy Poehler interviews Tina Fey.
Topic: Working with Friends
Useful for: A good laugh! Also general inspiration.
Time: 55 min watch (doable on 1.5x); discussion on work at 17:17
TLDR: Amy Poehler interviews friend and long time co-worker and collaborator Tina Fey. Amy and Tina discuss their work history and respective experiences coming up in the industry.
Serg’s Take: This interview is just fun. Their relationship is a great example of how work can forge powerful friendships that make the work output better. And also shows how work friendships can beget more great work.
Watch more episodes of Good Hang with Amy Poehler on YouTube.
LISTEN
Podcast: This Working Life | Managing friendship at work
Lisa Leong interviews various Organizational Psychologists
Topic: Human Dynamics, Management
Useful for: Understanding how to Navigate Work Roles and Friendship.
Time: 25 min listen (on 1x, doable at up to 1.75x)
TLDR: Examines benefits and challenges of work friendships, and the impact on personal happiness, work productivity, and organizational dynamics. Offers best practices for managing roles as friend and co-worker.
Serg’s Take: Solid analysis and breakdown of what the research says about workplace friendships, and practical advice — especially for managers — on effectively navigating those relationships.
Check out more episodes of This Working Life on ABC Listen.