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Episode 1244:
In "Do You Need a Friend at Work?" by Dr. Jenny Brockis, the importance of cultivating friendships in the workplace is explored. Highlighting how these connections are not just beneficial for personal well-being but also significantly enhance professional performance and safety, Brockis underscores the role of workplace friendships in creating a thriving, engaging, and productive work environment.
Read along with the original article(s) here: https://drjennybrockis.com/2019/8/1/do-you-need-friend-at-work/
Quotes to ponder:
"Having a friend at work matters, and it’s about far more than having someone to gossip with. It matters because as humans we’re hardwired to connect."
"Our spirits lift when we're in the presence of those people we like and we believe like us back."
"Being a better human is about seeking ways to contribute and collaborate more, to nurture friendships and show kindness to each other."
Episode references:
Gallup Engagement Surveys: https://www.gallup.com/q12/
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[00:00:27] How do you feel great on vacation? as we hear from Dr. Jenny and optimize your life. Do you need a friend at work? By Dr. Jenny Brockes of drjennybrockes.com. Having a friend at work matters, and it's about far more than having someone to gossip with. It matters because as humans, we're hardwired to connect.
[00:01:43] Spending time with others who we like
[00:01:45] and consider to be like us has been shown
[00:01:47] to be as important to our very survival with a new challenge or being unsure of what is expected of us, puts us in a state of potential threat. The brain responds in 200 milliseconds to answer the question, is it safe to stay here? Or is this person a friend or foe? If the answer is safe to proceed, it puts us at ease. We relax for
[00:03:00] the moment, and it frees up access to our they have a work BFF enjoy double the level of engagement, 63%,
[00:04:20] compared to those who don't, 29%.
[00:04:23] Social connection makes our work seem more worthwhile
[00:04:25] and helps us navigate successfully through the bad times positive workplace environments are good for business. Again, Gallup reports it can boost profit levels by up to 12%. Not a bad outcome for leaders seeking a way to retain a competitive advantage, and it makes the workplace a draw card for others. How to make a friend at work. This works best through a combination of individual and group effort.
[00:05:41] Leaders who promote a positive workplace community create a working environment for
[00:05:46] friendships to flourish. up to making a mistake or not knowing the answer can be excruciating because it makes us feel so vulnerable, coming from a medical background where knowing was seen as essential. Admitting to not knowing or getting something wrong was often seen as career suicide. Thankfully, such attitudes are changing, but the most effective leaders are those who lead with humility and ask the most questions. Having friends at these moments provides a life raft
[00:07:04] of support and empathy to help us find the need to be accessible. Aim for a workplace environment that enables water cooler chats and other face to face interactions across the day. And six, create social activities beyond just your team. Your next BFF might be working in a different department or team. Without the opportunity for greater transdisciplinary get togethers,
[00:08:21] it's a missed opportunity for new relationships and
[00:08:23] a greater understanding of how different teams and
[00:08:25] departments work within an organization. compared to other job sites. One of the things I love about Indeed is that it filters out incompatible applicants. So, when you're hiring, the process is much faster and you only have to consider applicants that are already likely to be a great fit. And listeners of this show will get a $75-sponsored job credit to get your jobs more visibility at Indeed.com slash startup. Just go
[00:09:42] to Indeed.com slash startup right now and support our show by saying you heard about Indeed on this someone else's world, seeing that spark of insight in their eyes when they see what they can do for themselves. As a voracious reader and prolific writer, she continues to indulge her curiosity and has just published her fourth book titled Thriving Mind, How to Cultivate a Good Life. And as a board-certified lifestyle medicine physician and best-selling author, her vision is to
[00:11:00] enable everyone to be a happy, thriving human. And please do check out her site.