Why Work is Really About the People... (and dare I say friendship)

A client said to me recently, “You run a tight ship.” At first, I felt a wave of pride—who doesn’t love a compliment about their leadership skills, right? But then something about that phrase lingered. Was it just about being organised and productive, or was there something deeper at play here? After five years of building two successful businesses, Sprouta and Encountas , I’ve been reflecting on what truly matters in work. It’s easy to get swept up in outcomes, metrics, and milestones, but I have been reminded again of the real value of work: it’s the people.

The Slack Experiment

So, here’s the fun part—I decided to run an experiment. Over the last month, I intentionally created some "slack" in the system. While I am always up for some fun, I also love a productive week, but I resisted the urge to drive outcomes and focus solely on productivity. I relaxed, enjoyed the meetings, didn’t lead the charge on every discussion, and just observed. What happened next surprised me. First, I got to know the people around me in ways I hadn’t before. Second, when space was created, different types of leadership emerged—new strategies, deeper thinking, more laughter, and a lot less stress (for me and others). It didn’t just make work more enjoyable; it made us better. I think I am stating the obvious, but we need to repeat it as a mantra: teams thrive when people bring their whole selves to work and feel seen, and relationships are key to fostering psychological safety.

When people feel seen, heard, and valued, they’re more likely to take risks, share ideas, and be more engaged. Oh, and I became a bit more fun to be around too! (Turns out, that helps.) Ask Marcus and Jules, my Co-founders!

Connection with People at Work

Did you know that millions of people are suffering from loneliness? According to Gallup, over 300 million people globally don’t have a single friend. And more than 20% of people don’t have anyone they can count on when times get tough. Now, not everyone needs a huge group of friends at work, but connection is critical for combating burnout and loneliness—two of the most pressing challenges in today’s workplace. The World Health Organisation (WHO) recognises burnout as an occupational phenomenon, with 77% of professionals reporting it, while a Cigna study found 61% of employees say they feel lonely at work. This lack of connection hurts well-being and performance.

But here’s the kicker—Gallup research shows that employees who have a best friend at work are seven times more likely to be engaged. They’re more productive, more innovative, and more connected to their organisation’s mission. Building friendships at work creates resilience, fosters collaboration, and reduces stress, which means teams thrive when relationships thrive. When you prioritise connection, you’re not just improving the culture; you’re boosting well-being and performance. Work isn’t just about getting things done; it’s about making it meaningful.

Friendship at Work

The average person spends over 81,396 hours working. So its not surprising that studies show that workplaces have become one of the leading places to form friendships—surpassing even schools, neighbourhoods, sporting teams, and places of worship. Yet, despite the fact that these workplace relationships have such a profound impact on our lives, we don’t often talk about how important they really are.

I’m proud to have built meaningful friendships through work—with colleagues, clients, partners, and extended our community. While we may not connect regularly, these friendships stand strong, and we’re always there for each other during pivotal moments. I still get calls from people I worked with a decade ago, whether we are seeking advice, sharing ideas, or navigating challenges like redundancy. Then there is the kind of friendships that lead to life-changing conversations, wedding invitations across the world, godchildren, and even launching businesses with my best friends. I co-founded Sprouta and Encountas with people I consider family. It might sound risky, but honestly, it’s been one of the best decisions of my life. Anyone who has had the pleasure of working with my friends and co-founders Juliette Hall and Marcus Worrall knows what I mean. Trust, care, shared purpose, and friendship are the foundations of everything we’ve built, and because we genuinely enjoy working together, our businesses reflect that energy.

We’re about to host our Sprouta and Encountas End-of-Year community celebration with clients, partners, connections, and team members—and I count most of the people attending as friends. (If we forgot to invite you, please let us know.)

Here’s the truth: the relationships you build at work often shape your experience far more than the achievements on your résumé. So why isn’t social connection a bigger priority in our work lives? How can managers create a work environment that nurtures friendships and meaningful connections?

What Can You Do?

As we wrap up 2024 and look ahead to 2025, here’s my challenge to you:

Look around. Who are the people around you that you’re grateful to have in your work life?

1. Reach out. Don’t do it just for networking or professional gain, but simply to reconnect and nurture those relationships.
2. Create slack. Build space into your work for genuine connection. Share a laugh, grab a coffee, or take the time to learn something new about the people around you.

Because when people thrive, organisations thrive—and that’s the real power behind work.