The Power of Friendship at Work

Is having friends at work, okay?

Not only is it okay—it’s one of the most powerful motivators and engagement strategies a workplace can offer. Research backs this up: Gallup has found that having a best friend at work makes you more engaged, more productive and more likely to stay. But beyond the data, there’s something deeply special about friendship at work. 

I know this firsthand.

Where the story of friendship began 

Back in 2003, I started as a graduate lawyer at Ashurst—then known as Blake Dawson Waldron. I wasn’t alone; I was part of a cohort of eleven fresh-faced grads, stepping into the world of corporate law together.

Some of us had crossed paths at university, but it was that shared experience of starting at the firm—learning the ropes, making mistakes, navigating the daunting world of legal practice—that turned acquaintances into friends.

The experiences that bond 

The induction and onboarding program set the stage. We weren’t just learning the technical aspects of being a lawyer; we were learning about each other. We went through the same year long training program; we sat in the same rooms and asked many nervous questions. I remember a negotiations exercise during induction that still stings (some styles were certainly more aggressive than others!), but at the heart of it all, our shared experience meant we knew how to support each other. 

Over the course of that first year, we moved through three rotations, sharing challenges, celebrating small wins, and laughing and sometimes crying at the absurdity of it all.

Despite working hard and learning a lot, what I most remember are our Friday night drinks! Let's face it, what workplace friendship is complete without them? Our firm drinks were followed by dinners which were followed by dancing at Carnegies (long gone now!). Sharing those experiences meant we were no longer just colleagues but a group of friends figuring out adulthood, careers, and life all at once.

Many would assume that competition would get in the way of friendship as a grad group. After all, we were all on the same path, vying for similar opportunities. But that's not how it played out. The more we got to know each other, the less we saw each other as rivals and the more we supported and encouraged each other.

One last bonding 'activity' 

And then there was the Christmas skit.

Picture this: a group of young grads —many of whom had spent their lives in libraries rather than on stage—standing in front of the entire firm, performing something utterly ridiculous. The nerves, the inside jokes, the tragic dance moves, the sheer hilarity of it bonded us in a way that no team-building exercise ever could. I think there might still be evidence of this skit somewhere! 

Where are they now? 

Now, 22 years later, many of us are still friends. Our careers have taken us in different directions, across different continents and industries, but the bond remains. We still cheer each other on, support each other through life’s ups and downs, and reminisce about our first few years of work together.

Four of the women from my grad group are now my best friends. Since our grad year, we've shared so many of life's most significant milestones. We've been there for each other and celebrated special birthdays, weddings and the births of our children. We've travelled together and a couple of us even lived together. We've listened and coached each other through life's curveballs. I feel acceptance, love and generosity from these incredible friends who were once colleagues. I am so grateful to my work for bringing these women into my life and I celebrate the power of these friendships every day. 

Why friendships at work matter 

A study by Schnall, Harber, Stefanucci, and Proffitt (2008) found that people perceive a hill as less steep when viewing it with a friend beside them compared to when they are alone. Social support influences our perception, making challenges seem more manageable. The emotional and psychological support we get from friendship shapes how we see and tackle challenges - and how helpful is that to have at work?

Friendships at work aren’t just a nice-to-have. They are the glue that makes the hard days easier and the good days even better. They remind us that we’re not just professionals—we’re people, walking this work journey together. And that’s something worth celebrating.