Work remotely or hybrid? You still need a work best friend

It’s time to bond outside the Zoom room with your co-workers.No, really.

Slack is great and all, but a best friendship it does not make.“On a professional level, work friends can be trusted people to whom we can turn for professional advice and feedback, whether it’s how to tackle a specific challenge we are having or to support us in our professional development,” said Shira Schuster, Ph.D., a licensed clinical psychologist of Williamsburg Therapy Group in Brooklyn.“Work friends are essential because they can be real-time sounding boards,” echoed Prerika Agarwal, MBA, a certified career coach and the founder of Inspiration Careers in Washington, DC.“They give practical advice, not just theoretical, because they’ve been in the same meetings and know the same people.”As Schuster highlighted, our work friends might also be connected to others in the industry and thus help with networking.

And on a personal level, work friends can provide social and emotional support, making work more enjoyable.By contrast, Schuster said working from home can contribute to a feeling of loneliness, so having that proverbial “work wife” can help employees feel more connected and “plugged in” to the workplace.Ahead, easy strategies to lock down a work BFF, regardless of where you work.Join the club“Participate in your company’s online social groups or interest clubs,” said Agarwal.“Whether it’s a book club or other interest, being active in these groups helps you meet colleagues with similar interests.

Engage in conversations, contribute to discussions and show genuine interest in what others share.”Whether in the flesh or via video chat, these community builders are important in establishing meaningful connections.Help out however you canIt may seem obvious, but lending a helping hand to colleagues is an often-overlooked fast track to friendship.Agarwal stressed the importance of offering to help co-workers whenever you can, whether it’s projec...