Member-only story
Your Boss Is Not Wrong; You Need Friends At Work
Friends at work: Good or bad for business?
I graduated from college in December 2006 and started working as a health inspector a month later.
I vividly remember my first day. I left home an hour early to ensure I’d arrive on time.
When I got to the office, only two employees, Cornell and Bob, were there. Cornell sensed my nervousness because he handed me a coffee pot and asked me to make coffee to break the ice. Although his approach wasn’t friendly at first, I now realize that Cornell is one of the best people in the world.
I poured their coffee, and they poured their life experience into my cup.
While in that job, I made many friends who were still close to me.
Cornell loved coffee, and I appreciated the wisdom of older employees who could mentor me. Cornell and Bob shared their professional and life experiences as I made coffee. Their friendship meant I could focus on doing great work without worrying about anyone in the office who didn’t want me to succeed. I extended the same friendly approach to meeting everyone in the office.
Now, I am surrounded by a supportive group of people who want me to succeed, and I have become a…
