Someone shared in a coaching session with me recently that they had worked in the same organisation for decades and hadn’t really made any friends. It struck me as such a wasted opportunity.

“I’ve got enough friends” is also something I sometimes hear and never really know what to do with. Can you ever have enough real friends?

Finding your tribe at work just makes work (and life) so much better – people who ‘get’ you and really like you, challenge and support you, make you laugh, have your back and remind you who you are.

The career coach in me also knows that your friends are your very best network. Time spent on building friendships is not wasted. They’ll help you, promote your brand and keep you in the loop. But only if that’s not the reason why you became friends in the first place.

Making real friendships requires a little vulnerability and a whole lot of honesty – no one will truly connect if they don’t really know you. A ‘version’ of you is not going to make the cut.

For leaders, this exposure can be a challenge. So many HR professionals I’ve worked with struggle with this too. Secrets come with the territory.

It also requires time and opportunity. Which can be tricky in a hybrid working environment.

It’s worth it though – don’t you think?