Friends At Work : Life's Natural Stress Reducers

Developing a friendship with a co-worker who has a work ethic you admire and someone who can "keep it zipped" is a must-have. No matter how great your significant other, friend, orneighbor is at solving problems or listening to your work conce
s, they are not your best option.

Why? BECAUSE THEY DON'T WORK HERE.

You may have done a fine job of explaining the personalities, the culture, the issues--but someone who does not work where you work cannot fully take in the whole picture and provide you with the best advice possible. A friend at work beats a valium prescription hands-down for beating work stress permanently.

When you are able to shut the door and say, "Was Mike being hard on me during that meeting, or am I being too sensitive?" that's worth its weight in gold. Getting a reality-check from someone who can see things more clearly than you at the moment, or offer advice on what to do next, is key to career success and satisfaction.

Naturally, this person needs to have a value system where your information will not be shared with others---otherwise you're just unintentionally gossiping! And you must be willing to not always be right when seeking input. Assure this person that you will not blow up or become defensive should they offer insight that you may be the cause of your negative effect.

According to a recent Gallup poll, employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged in their work than those who did not have a best friend at work (those without a best friend at work were only 1 in 12 self-defined as being productive and happy at work).

Many nationally-recognized programs like Achieve Global and Frankli
Covey suggest finding a "coaching peer." This is essentially finding a trusted confidante within your workplace to run things passed; who is able to give you some sound ideas when handling a tough situation; practice a presentation and get feedback, etc.

Just being able to vent or have a laugh can relieve stress and keep you from spending needless energy stewing about a work-related concern.

Make friends!