How to Make Friends at Work and Build Meaningful Relationships

For most of my career, I worked as a freelancer, collaborating with clients on a project-to-project basis, mostly from the outside. Over the past year, however, my business has shifted, and I’ve started working within organizations, still as a freelancer. Initially, I didn’t expect this change to have much impact on my workflow—but I quickly realized I was wrong. It became clear that I needed to improve how I built relationships and, hopefully, make some genuine friends along the way.

I found myself navigating new dynamics like managing conflict with co-workers, giving proactive feedback, and tapping into each colleague’s unique motivations and learning styles. The experience prompted me to take a closer look at my own working style, identifying potential roadblocks and the skills I needed to sharpen to thrive in this more connected environment.

Featured image from our interview with Roxana Saidi by Suruchi Avasthi.

How to Make Friends at Work and Build Meaningful Relationships

Serendipitously, the universe seemed to align with my inner work, leading me to participate in an enneagram workshop led by Elle Pugh, RN, BSN, and Certified Enneagram Coach. I also explored human design, a system designed to help people understand their true nature and life purpose. Once I gained more self-awareness of my tendencies and strengths, I dove into the best strategies for making friends at work and building meaningful professional relationships.

With insights informed by both my work with the enneagram and human design—as well as my personal observations in navigating this new working environment—I learned a few key truths about how to make friends at work. Whether you’re a freelancer like me or you work a traditional 9-to-5 job (or you’re somewhere else on the wide spectrum of work), explore these tips for building meaningful relationships.

For People Working in an Office

1. Practice Active Listening. You won’t make friends with anyone who doesn’t feel heard. Be fully present when speaking with colleagues. Make eye contact, ask follow-up questions, and show genuine interest in their thoughts and experiences.
2. Initiate Small Talk. Don’t underestimate the power of casual conversations. A quick chat about weekend plans or a shared coffee break can establish common ground and open the door to deeper connections.
3. Be Collaborative, Not Competitive. Embrace teamwork and share credit when it’s due. Offer help when you can, and be open to receiving it.
4. Participate in Social Activities. Attend after-work events, team lunches, or office volunteer activities. These are prime opportunities to get to know colleagues outside of daily work tasks.
5. Respect Boundaries and Preferences. Pay attention to others’ working preferences. Whether they prefer quiet time or thrive in a collaborative environment, respecting their space builds trust and forms smoother relationships.
6. Show Appreciation. Acknowledge your coworkers’ contributions. A simple “thank you” can go a long way in building a friendly and supportive environment.

For People Working from Home

1. Stay Connected Through Check-ins. Regular video calls with your team, even for non-work-related chats, are essential. Virtual coffee breaks or casual “watercooler” chats help foster relationships.
2. Leverage Collaboration Tools. Use communication platforms like Slack, Teams, or Zoom to stay connected. Fun additions like GIFs or emojis help maintain a light and engaging atmosphere online.
3. Be Available and Responsive. Maintain a consistent presence online. Make sure your colleagues know when you’re reachable and respond promptly to messages.
4. Use Video for Personal Touches. Whenever possible, use video during meetings. Seeing a colleague’s face helps humanize interactions and builds rapport.
5. Participate in Virtual Events. Take part in online team-building activities or virtual happy hours to connect with your colleagues in a non-work setting.
6. Show Empathy and Flexibility. Remote work comes with its own set of challenges, so show understanding and flexibility when others face personal interruptions or time zone differences.

For Both Work Environments

1. Give Positive Feedback. Recognize others’ strengths and successes regularly, whether in a group email or team meeting.
2. Communicate Clearly and Transparently. Honest communication fosters trust. Keep updates flowing, ask for clarification when needed, and avoid ambiguity.
3. Offer Help and Support. Be willing to lend a hand when colleagues need assistance. Whether offering advice or stepping in to help with a project, this generosity is key to building relationships.
4. Be Reliable and Accountable. Meet deadlines and honor commitments consistently. Reliability fosters trust and credibility, which are foundational for building friendships.
5. Celebrate Milestones. Recognize both personal and professional achievements, whether it’s a birthday, work anniversary, or project completion. Even small gestures like grabbing coffee for someone can strengthen a bond.

Why Making Friends at Work Matters

Looking back, the importance of making friends at work has been one of the most transformative realizations of my professional life. Building strong relationships in the workplace not only fosters a more enjoyable environment but also boosts collaboration, productivity, and overall job satisfaction.

Whether you’re working in an office or remotely, the ability to connect with colleagues on a personal level is invaluable. It can lead to long-lasting friendships that enhance your professional and personal life. So, take the time to nurture those connections—you never know how much a work friendship can improve your day-to-day experience.