Page 2 - The MIL Leadership Line: August 2024

The Power of Work Friends

According to a global study by the International Social Survey Program (ISSP),
“Interpersonal [work] relationships have a sizeable and significant positive effect on the
job satisfaction of the average employee. [Relationships] rank first out of…12 domains of
workplace quality in terms of power to explain variation in job satisfaction.”

Gallup’s studies show that since the start of the pandemic, having a best friend at
work has an even greater impact on important outcomes — like workers’ likelihood
to recommend their workplace, intent to leave, and overall satisfaction. With the
unavoidable increase in remote and hybrid work, best friends at work have become
lifelines who provide crucial social connection, collaboration, and support for each other during times of change.

Wherever possible, managers should remove constraints to socialization and create an atmosphere where employees
feel free and encouraged to connect and show support.

Employees at all levels need to make a concerted effort to get to know their coworkers and maintain friendships.
Leaders should encourage employees to make a habit of having special quick connects, maybe via video chat, to say
hello and spark conversation. For hybrid workers, these quick connects might be on an office day, such as a lunch or
walking meeting.

Fully remote workers with tighter schedules can reserve five minutes before a team meeting for interaction -- or
perhaps schedule a collaborative video chat to work on a shared project together in a virtual setting.

So how can managers create and maintain a friendship-friendly workplace?

» Establish a buddy system » Encourage collaboration
» Increase face time » Don’t force it!

Source: Psychology Today

Leadership Insights: From Friend to Supervisor

Welcome to the Leadership Corner, a dedicated space for managers to share their insights,
experiences, and strategies.

Transitioning from a friend to a supervisor requires a delicate balance of maintaining
personal relationships while establishing professional authority. By setting clear boundaries,
communicating effectively, and leading with integrity, you can successfully navigate this
transition and foster a positive, productive work environment. Invest in training and
development to enhance your leadership and management skills and seek mentorship or advice
from experienced supervisors to navigate challenges.

We are happy to share some lessons learned from a few of our newly promoted team leads and
supervisors on the transition from peer/friend to supervisor.

2 | The Leadership Line