When starting a new job, the idea of working with friends can seem appealing. The thought of experiencing common events, having social relationships, and providing mutual support can make the working environment more enjoyable. However, it’s important to consider both the benefits and the disadvantages before making the decision to work with friends. Joining the same company with your friends can either add to its attractiveness or to its challenges, depending on the situation. So, it’s important to weigh up all the pros and cons before making a decision.
Pros of Working with Friends:
Social Connection and Camaraderie:
Having co-workers as friends also gives us an automatic social network within the work premises. This fellowship can develop a nice and pleasant environment for the office.
Shared Experiences and Mutual Support:
The workplace is a place where you have friends, so you can share your experiences, make friends with colleagues and win together. This mutual care system might prove very useful in case of daily dilemmas in your professional life.
Networking Opportunities:
Developing friendships at work can result in networking. This can lead to mentorship, career advice, and potential advancement opportunities.
Team Dynamics and Collaboration:
Amongst friends who have good teamwork attributes, it can positively impact the group dynamics. Such joint working with other bodies can improve productivity and create a better working atmosphere.
Cons of Working with Friends:
Professional Independence:
This job can be challenging as professional boundaries may blur while interacting with buddy. It is important to maintain personal relationships separately from professional obligations.
Conflict of Interest:
Personal relationships resulting from roles and responsibilities may cause conflicts of interest, which can impact decisions and evaluations.
Career Progression Challenges:
Individuals should prioritise their career objectives so that socialising with friends at work doesn’t hinder career growth and progress.
Work-Life Balance:
It hardens to maintain a working and personal life when your friends are also your colleagues. Clarity of boundaries is essential for the healthy development of work-life balance.
Gossip and Rumors:
A bias displayed within the circle of friends towards preferential treatment may lead to gossip and rumours in the workplace that will create a negative atmosphere.
Limited Exposure and Groupthink:
In a certain scenario, people may only socialise with their friends, which can lead to missing out on exposure to different perspectives. This can ultimately lead to groupthink. It is important to remember that there are only 24 hours in a day.
Conclusion:
When deciding to work at the same company as a buddy, it’s important to strike a balance between the benefits of maintaining social connections and the potential challenges that may arise in professional relationships. This can be gained by setting clear boundaries, maintaining professionalism, and prioritising individual career growth. Ultimately, it’s important for individuals to pursue a path that aligns with their personal and professional goals, regardless of their choice.