Studies prove having a best friend at work can help make us more successful in our careers. It keeps us more engaged in our jobs, and it enables us to be healthier and happier. Gallup is most famous for this research in its article "Why We Need Best Friends at Work."
I have such gratitude for my work relationships, especially my best friend at work. Throughout my 18-year career, which I started as a mechanical engineer in diesel engines, to now working in quality for a large industrial company, I have relied on a best friend at work. That relationship has made me feel supported, encouraged and willing to take risks, which has led to significant career accomplishments.
Unfortunately, not everyone has access to a best friend at work. Many of us are working from home in the pandemic, not allowing for easy access to our networks for career advice and support. We aren't running into our work friends and mentors in the hallways, elevators or break rooms like we were last year. Those run-ins allowed us to get input on work-related questions fairly often and quickly. I miss being able to ask my best friend at work a question about preparing for an upcoming presentation or getting some input on how to bring up a topic with my boss.
For some of us, maybe we don't have friends or mentors at work. Perhaps we started at a new company and haven’t found our people yet. Maybe we don’t mesh with the people we work with and, therefore, we have not made these types of relationships that help us in our jobs. Further still, perhaps some of us continue to maintain our network well during work from home, but we want an unbiased or anonymous voice on an issue. And maybe some of us do not feel comfortable asking for certain advice with our established contacts.
I founded My Best Friend At Work to literally be your best friend at work for all these reasons. My Best Friend At Work (MBFAW) provides free career tips ranging from imposter syndrome and personal branding to virtual meeting etiquette and tips for making small talk during conference calls. If you have a specific work-related question or need some confidential advice that you don't want to take to your mentors or advisors, ask MBFAW and get the advice you need. MBFAW will give you an answer like a best friend: honest, direct, non-judgmental and helpful responses to enable your success! MBFAW is also a valuable resource for those graduating from college, needing interview and networking suggestions and, ultimately, later when they need career advice and support.
My family and I are newer to Southlake, moving here in November of 2019. We have felt so welcomed, love the area and are extremely happy to be here. I look forward to being able to give back to the community as a business owner in Southlake and help you or someone in your family with career advice.
Anne Trobaugh is currently deputy director of global quality at Flowserve and before that, worked at Cummins Inc. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University Kelley School of Business.
“In 500” is a monthly department written by members of our community in 500 words. The views expressed here do not necessarily reflect those of Southlake Style.
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