How to Develop Friendships and Connect Meaningfully with Work Colleagues

Introduction

• The gift of friendship and connecting meaningfully at work

1. Recognizing How Friendships Have Never Been More Important

• The feel good factor
• Staying connected virtually and remotely
• Building bridges inclusively

2. Sidestepping Friendship Land Mines

• Cultivate friendships, not cliques
• Clarifying and enforcing boundaries with over steppers
• Avoiding gossiping, triangulating, and complaining
• Disagreeing with friends: Don’t just go with the flow

3. Distinguishing between Common Work Relationships

• Partnering with your boss
• Treading carefully with a work spouse
• Maximizing sponsor relationships
• Getting the best out of client relationships
• Strengthening referral relationships

4. How-to Friendship: Examples

• Addressing a work friend's negative behavior
• Setting limits with friends the right way
• Deflecting others' negative behavior
• Managing friendships outside of work

Conclusion

• Be the first: What dogs teach about friendship
• Cultivating friendships and building a legacy