334: The Business of Friendship with Shasta Nelson
Sep 1, 2020
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Shasta Nelson, an expert on building healthy friendships in the workplace, discusses the importance of friendship in the workplace, managing expectations, the misuse of the word 'toxic' in relationships, and creating a sense of belonging in the workplace.
Building friendships at work is crucial for personal and professional growth, combating loneliness and increasing productivity.
Healthy relationships and friendships have a significant impact on overall health and well-being, reducing stress and creating a sense of belonging and support.
Deep dives
The Importance of Building Friendships at Work
Building friendships at work is crucial for both personal and professional growth. Friends at work help combat feelings of loneliness and increase productivity. Research shows that companies with strong relationships among employees have lower turnover rates, higher engagement levels, and better creativity. It's important to create a positive and inclusive workplace environment where empathy and appreciation are valued. Consistency is key in developing relationships at work, especially in remote work situations. Scheduling regular interactions and creating routines can help foster healthy relationships. Vulnerability is also important in building connections at work, as it helps individuals feel seen and understood. By practicing positivity, consistency, and vulnerability, workplaces can create a sense of belonging and improve overall well-being.
The Impact of Friendships on Health
Research shows that healthy relationships and friendships have a significant impact on overall health and well-being. Feeling loved, supported, and connected to others can help reduce stress and its negative effects on the body. On the other hand, loneliness is comparable to the health risks of smoking, obesity, and alcoholism. The quality of our relationships, including those at work, plays a vital role in our long-term health. It's important to prioritize meaningful connections and ensure that interactions leave individuals feeling seen, known, and supported.
The Three Requirements for Healthy Relationships
All healthy relationships, including those at work, require three key elements: positivity, consistency, and vulnerability. Positivity involves fostering a positive and accepting environment where empathy and appreciation are expressed. Consistency is about building shared experiences and maintaining regular interactions. This consistency leads to trust, commitment, and safety in relationships. Vulnerability is essential for individuals to feel seen and known. It involves sharing ideas, experiences, and emotions, and allowing others to understand and support us. Practicing these three requirements can help strengthen relationships and create a sense of belonging and support.
Dealing with Challenging Coworkers
Rather than labeling coworkers as 'toxic,' it's important to recognize that relationships can create toxic patterns. Blaming individuals entirely for toxic dynamics is not productive. Instead, focusing on improving the relationship and aligning expectations can lead to positive changes. It's crucial to understand that relationships involve both parties, and while we can't change others, we can change our own behavior and responses. By practicing the three requirements of healthy relationships and embracing empathy, consistency, and vulnerability, challenging relationships can be transformed into more positive and supportive ones.
We need to change our mindset. The phrase “I’m not here to make friends,” is the opposite of how we should think about our workplace. So says my guest today who is an expert on building healthy and appropriate friendships in the workplace. Her name is Shasta Nelson and she was an absolute delight to […]
