Friendships at work

Guests: Sigal Barsade and Peter Bregman

Countless studies find that when workers have friends at the office, they are more committed to their jobs, are happier and as a result, the bottom line benefits. And since many of us spend more time at work than we do at home, relationships with our colleagues play a valuable role in our lives. What is a healthy office friendship, why are they important and how do managers foster a culture that encourages good relationships with and among employees? SIGAL BARSADE is a professor of management at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School where her research focuses on emotions and relationships in the workplace. PETER BREGMAN is a management consultant who works with corporate executives and their leadership teams.