How to Make New Friends in the Workplace

The pandemic certainly brought to light true colors in friendships. In the absence of shared social spaces—the office, coffee shops, parties, the gym—the intent of some relationships were revealed to be more of convenience than anything else.

Were you close with your coworkers, solely because you saw them every single day and not because you had anything in common? Were you meeting friends for dinner because you wanted to see them, or because you were in the mood for that particular cuisine?

Some friendships lasted and grew stronger and some were put to rest. Additionally, many people lost the opportunity to interact and create new relationships due to this lack of shared spaces during covid-19. However, as we return to work the door to making new friends is wide open.

In a coworking space, you are surrounded by people from various backgrounds and professional interests. Everyone has their own private workspace to conduct business, while simultaneously gathering in one shared space. The beauty of this environment is you have privacy when you need it and community when you want it. The balance you experience is completely up to you.

It might seem daunting or nerve wracking to interact with people you don’t know. But isn’t it even more daunting to know you could be intentionally missing opportunities to make new friends or connect with the people you see every day?

Let’s talk approach. You don’t have to immediately jump up and insert yourself into conversations with the goal to have eight new friends by the end of the day. This can be a gradual process and pick up as your network grows.

A great place to start is simply on your lunch break or coffee break in the kitchen. CommonGrounds Workplace features shared kitchen/pantries in each location (and some even have specialty coffee stations…) that create the perfect environment for meeting someone casually.

As you both enjoy lunch or grab a refill, introduce yourself and ask the other person a few questions. The more you see them – passing by in the hallway, at the printing station, or at a location event – you’ll feel more comfortable to continue to get to know them.

In the past two years, most companies have had new hires. When you return to the office, you may notice there are new faces and people that you haven’t met in person before. A recommended approach would be to reintroduce yourself (if you’ve already met virtually) and highlight how you might be able to help them or relay things they should know about the space. For example:

• If there is a great cafe down the street that you really like, recommend the menu
• If the copier is finicky with certain types of paper, make them aware
• If they’re using software that may require IT support, show them where the IT office is and who they should speak to

Little things like this can go a long way. It shows your colleagues that you care about making them feel welcome and it’s a great way to initially extend an arm of friendship.

Finally, remember to be a good listener and to not over-do it. If someone is in a rush or hard at work, make sure it’s not an inappropriate time to start a conversation. A simple hello is fine or a “let’s talk later when you’re free!” is another great option. Conversations don’t always have to be long to show their value. A good friend knows his or her boundaries and prioritizes other people’s schedules, not just his or her own.

Coworking spaces go beyond the standard office in that there are a plethora of opportunities waiting for you, both professionally and personally. It’s not always about networking for your business. Friendships in the workspace can be healthy and build positivity. It’s the people that make the workplace, so why not be excited to go to work everyday!