DISCovering 5 Ways to Make Friends at Work

There’s a popular discussion thread online admonishing people not to make friends at work. It's chock full of commenters venting and listing their reasons why you should never find friendship at the workplace - dramas, cliques, betrayals.

"It's okay," one commenter writes, "you won't need them to succeed."

Nothing could be further from the truth! We are highly social beings. Even in the most professional setting, we need to connect with one another. Friendships formed at the office have proven to increase job performance. It satisfies our sense of belongingness, increases our satisfaction in work, and boosts our attitude towards work.

 Family and friendships are two of the greatest facilitators of happiness.

~ John C. Maxwell

Whether you are new or a veteran lone-ranger, there are easy ways to make friends and get along with your colleagues. Tap into your DISC personality to make meaningful connections with your officemates.

The DISC assessment identifies which of the four personality types you score highest. That means that all of us possess these four behavioral types in varying degrees. To make friends at work, let's dip into our personalities:

"D" - Dominant

"I" - Influential

"S" - Steady

"C" - Compliant

Here are five easy ways to make new friends at work:

1. Go out and attend events

A high "D" person is confident and decisive. Instead of waiting for HR or someone else to introduce you, take the initiative to meet people. Attend company mixers, morning pep talks, and lunch gatherings. Exhaust all opportunities to meet and greet. With your inherent leadership skills, a rise in the career ladder will come naturally.

2. Strike up conversations

Everyone is capable of becoming a social butterfly. Some more than others. The "I" personality is gifted at meeting new people and making new friends. Greet colleagues in elevators, smile at co-workers that you pass in the hallway, and keep your sunny disposition. People are drawn by humor and charm; they will want you to be present in activities that involve entertaining and speaking in crowds.

3. Be a listening ear

Being friendly doesn't just mean being a good talker. A large part of office relationships involves listening. You will meet co-workers who need to vent and share their burdens. The "S" personality is sympathetic to others and generous. Join workgroups that encourage group sharing. Or sign up for after-hours workshops that allow you to work through teams.

4. Remember what they value

If you're the kind of person who prefers being quiet and works by your lonesome, making friends doesn't have to be an extrovert effort. Use your "C" personality to remember details of people you meet. Make a mental list of their hobbies, their pets, or their children. Whenever they strike up conversations with you, ask questions that allow them to talk. Watch their eyes light up with delight as you remember tiny details about them.

5. Be yourself

An average working person spends most of their waking time in the workplace. Pretending to be someone else in the presence of co-workers is taxing in the long run, not being yourself is exhausting. Real and honest friendships develop because of real and honest people. To make friends at work, you need to be authentic. As cliche as that may sound, that's the best way for you to meet people.

Learning your DISC will help you understand what works for you and what does not. Use your strengths to be a good friend. Identify your weaknesses, and don't let it hinder you from making lasting relationships.

Hopefully, these tips will empower you to go out there and make friends. Are you in need of one-on-one coaching for professional or leadership development? Ask us how! Contact Thrive Leadership Institute, Inc. today at http://www.ThriveLeadershipInstitute.com