By Thea O'Connor -
How can we better understand and manage friendships with colleagues?
One of the things missing from social life is, well, social life. I’m not referring to going to the pub, although that may be part of it. I’m talking about real connections, where you spend time really connecting with people who know you, enjoy you, support you and care about what happens to you – what is sometimes called your “village”.
For many professionals, the workplace is your village. It’s where you spend the bulk of your time and energy. If you are lucky it can offer an esprit de corps, where people support and enjoy wins and losses together.
Yet the workplace can seem and be antithetical to real friendships. Genuine connections that aren’t based on output and productivity, where you feel free to be yourself and let your guard down, are rare.
