Managing Workplace Relationships: The Secret to Making Friends (and Thriving) at Work

Making friends as an adult can be tough, especially in a professional setting. People have different roles, responsibilities, and levels of comfort with socialising at work, making it harder to form friendships organically. However, that doesn’t mean workplace friendships aren’t worth pursuing—they can be incredibly rewarding personally and professionally.

The workplace is one of the best environments to form meaningful relationships. After all, you spend a significant portion of your day with colleagues, making it the perfect place to build connections that enhance both your career and personal life. When approached with authenticity and professionalism, these friendships can make your daily work experience more fulfilling and enjoyable. This is why managing workplace relationships effectively is crucial for both personal wellbeing and professional success.

But how do you go about forming these connections? In this article, we’ll walk you through some tips to help you build strong relationships with your coworkers and some tips on how to navigate around workplace conflict.

Importance of relationships in the workplace

Strong workplace relationships are powerful for career success. With most waking hours spent at work, meaningful connections boost job satisfaction, collaboration, and overall wellbeing. Studies have shown that employees connected to their peers are more engaged, leading to higher productivity and lower turnover rates. Workplace friendships open doors for career growth through mentorship, networking opportunities, and industry insights. Hence, the importance of managing workplace relationships to ensure these connections remain rewarding and professional.

Beyond boosting morale, workplace friendships drive innovation and resilience. Trusted colleagues provide a sounding board for new ideas, help navigate challenges, and offer constructive feedback. A strong support system at work provides emotional support during stressful projects and celebrates wins. Recognising the importance of relationships in the workplace fosters a culture of collaboration, adaptability, and long-term success.

How to build networking skills: Practical tips for making friends at work

Making friends at work doesn’t have to feel forced or awkward—it’s often the small, everyday interactions that build real connections. A friendly greeting, a shared laugh, or a quick chat in the pantry can go a long way in forming workplace friendships. Beyond casual conversations, knowing how to build networking skills can help create meaningful professional and personal relationships.

Whether it’s through reading social cues, taking the initiative, or strategically engaging in company events, there are plenty of ways to connect with colleagues organically. The key is to be intentional while keeping things authentic—genuine friendships develop over time through mutual respect and shared experiences. Take a look at some of the easiest ways to start networking: 

• Be approachable: Maintain open body language, smile, and be warm in interactions.
• Read social cues: Recognise when someone is open to chatting or prefers to focus on work.
• Take initiative: Invite coworkers for coffee, lunch, or a quick chat between meetings.
• Use strategic networking: Attend company events, cross-team projects, and industry meetups to connect with colleagues.
• Follow up: Revisit previous conversations, remember key details, and check in periodically.

How to improve your conversation skills: Overcoming social anxiety and tips for introverts

Feeling like an outsider in social settings, avoiding eye contact, or hesitating to join conversations—if any of this rings a bell, you’re not alone. Social anxiety can feel like a heavy weight, holding you back from fully enjoying life’s social experiences. The good news is that overcoming social anxiety is possible, and you’re already taking the first step by exploring this topic.

We’ll dive into practical strategies and insights to help you navigate social situations with confidence and ease, ensuring you build meaningful connections without the stress. Whether it’s a work function, a casual get-together, or even a company social event, it’s all about finding what works for you to manage your anxiety.

Below are some ideas to help you gradually ease your social anxiety to form meaningful connections with others:

• Start small: Begin with casual greetings or commenting on shared experiences (e.g., “That meeting was intense, huh?“)
• Prepare conversation starters: Have a few go-to topics like hobbies, industry trends, or weekend plans.
• Leverage one-on-one interactions: Focus on deeper conversations with individuals rather than large groups.
• Use structured social settings: Join work committees, interest groups, or casual team events for easier engagement.
• Take advantage of digital communication: Engage in Slack channels, email threads, or LinkedIn for more controlled interactions.
• Give yourself grace: Friendships take time—small steps are still progress!

Managing workplace relationships: Balancing friendship and professionalism 

Navigating workplace dynamics can be a tightrope walk, especially when it comes to balancing friendship and professionalism. While building genuine connections with colleagues can enhance teamwork and job satisfaction, it’s crucial to maintain a level of respect and professionalism.

Let’s dive into these tips to ensure your workplace relationships are both rewarding and professional: 

• Balancing professionalism and friendship: Set clear boundaries between your friendship and your professional role.
• Learning to practice self-awareness and accountability: Are they taking constructive criticism personally? Or could they be expecting preferential treatment? 
• Clarifying roles: Communicate that work obligations are a priority before the friendship.

Crossing the line between friendship and professionalism 

Having a close relationship with a coworker comes with its risks, too. For example, the lines around accountability can become blurred when friendships overlap with professional responsibilities, which may come off as favouritism and perceived bias.

This involves understanding whether colleagues might be taking constructive criticism personally or expecting preferential treatment. It’s essential to strike a balance to ensure that workplace friendships remain both positive and professional, minimising potential tensions and conflicts.

To paint a better picture, Naluri Executive Coach Fazilah Yusof shares some examples below:

Scenario #1: Favouritism or perceived bias

Example: A leader assigns important projects or promotions to a close friend without considering other qualified candidates, resulting in low morale and trust issues within the team.

What could go wrong: If a manager or team lead is too close to certain colleagues, it may create perceptions of favouritism—leading to resentment from others. Team members may feel overlooked or believe decisions are based on personal relationships rather than merit. 

Scenario #2: Difficulty holding friends accountable

Example: A manager hesitates to provide constructive feedback to a close friend on the team, allowing poor performance to continue unchecked—impacting team efficiency and overall results.

What could go wrong: If workplace friends fail to uphold professional expectations, addressing poor performance or misconduct may become uncomfortable. Avoiding difficult conversations can lead to lower productivity and resentment from others who are held to a different standard.

If you need more guidance on how to communicate and set clear boundaries with your colleagues, check out these phrases: 

1. If a coworker wants to discuss personal matters but you prefer to keep things professional: “During meetings, let’s try to keep our discussions focused on work topics to maintain a professional atmosphere.”

2. If a friend at work comes to you for feedback but takes it personally: “I want you to know this feedback is about the work and not personal. Our friendship is important to me, and so is maintaining a professional standard.”

3. If a colleague asks for career favours you’re uncomfortable with: “I want to make sure that we’re being fair to the whole team, so I’ll be assigning tasks based on skills and availability.”

4. If a coworker is venting about work but you want to avoid negativity: “As your friend, I support you 100%, but as your colleague, I have to ensure we’re all meeting our work obligations.”

Managing workplace relationships: Turning conflict into collaboration

Conflict is a natural part of any relationship, whether personal or professional. Instead of avoiding it, learning to manage conflict effectively can turn a negative situation into an opportunity for growth. From misunderstandings to serious disagreements, handling conflict can foster healthier and more productive relationships.

A good mindset to have is understanding that there is no single or set strategy for dealing with conflict. We’ve listed some practical strategies on conflict resolution and how to transform challenges into stepping stones for success.

Address issues early

It’s easy to shy away from difficult conversations, especially at work. But shoving it under the rug could escalate the issue and leave room for resentment to build. The best practice is to be direct and respectful when talking things out. This allows both of you to learn each other’s perspectives and your working styles.

Keep it professional

Sometimes, resolving conflicts can get heated, and it’s important to keep your mind clear and calm. After all, it’s done with good intentions and for a good outcome. Remind yourself to keep things professional by focusing on facts and behaviours rather than personal attacks. The end goal is to come to a solution rather than invalidate each other’s feelings.

Recognising when a workplace friendship isn’t working

Sometimes, a workplace friendship can take a sour turn despite best efforts. In these moments, take the time to reflect on how the friendship is affecting your work. Maybe your boundaries were crossed, or the person is always asking for favours. If this friendship continues to create tension, it might be best to create some distance between your professional and personal interactions.

Here’s what Naluri Executive Coach Fazilah Yusof suggests when handling a workplace conflict: 

1. Use “I” statements: Expressing concerns without blaming encourages positive problem-solving.

• Example phrase: “I felt left out when…” instead of “You ignored me.”

2. Practice active listening: The key is to clarify your intent with empathy to try to understand the other person’s perspective. This helps in finding common ground and reaching a mutually acceptable resolution.

• Example phrase: “I sense there was a misunderstanding in my message. My intention was [clarify], and I value our collaboration. Let’s align on how we can move forward together.”

3. Use direct but professional communication to establish boundaries: This shows professionalism and self-respect. It also encourages your colleagues to treat you with respect and acknowledge your needs and limitations.

• Example phrase: “I value our friendship and collaboration. At the same time, I need to ensure I’m meeting my deadlines. Let’s find a way to support each other while keeping our work responsibilities in check.”

Sustaining workplace friendships

Now that you’ve learnt the ropes on how to make friends, it’s also essential to learn how to sustain them. Similar to other relationships, sustaining workplace friendships takes effort. Regular check-ins and joining non-work-related interactions like lunch or company social activities can also help strengthen these bonds.

Showing up for your colleagues is a great way to demonstrate mutual support and encouragement. Celebrate each other’s successes, offer help during tough times, and support career growth while fostering your friendships.

If you’re comfortable, you could also look for opportunities to connect with colleagues outside of work. This can look like playing sports or grabbing dinner together after work.  These informal interactions provide a chance to get to know your colleagues on a more personal level and build deeper connections.

Conclusion

The healthiest workplace relationships are the ones that build you up and show support without creating bias. If you’re still wondering if you should have friends in the workplace, the answer is yes. Workplace friendships can—and should—thrive in the workplace, but only when both people are equally committed to setting boundaries and their careers. In the end, your workplace relationships should be an asset, not a liability. 

If you’re looking for more strategies for balancing work, life, and wellbeing, explore our Naluri website where you can connect with Naluri career coaches for one-on-one personalised coaching sessions. Take charge of your career health today.