The Work Bestie Hack

I have a work hack that will increase your engagement, performance, and overall well-being. It's about finding your work bestie, just not in the way your company wants you to.

According to Gallup, having a best friend at work is crucial. It increases engagement and improves business outcomes so significantly that companies now include it in their annual surveys. The data shows:

• Major boost in engagement
• Improved well-being and retention with reduced turnover
• Performance improvement with higher productivity and creativity

As Gallup puts it:

"A best friend at work makes any job more enjoyable and energizing. These relationships are about trust, accountability, and mutual respect, which translate into better work outcomes."

Your company's sudden interest in your friendships isn't entirely altruistic...GASP! They want you to find your bestie because it helps them hit their numbers. Work besties improve the bottom line.

Here's my hack....

Here's what companies haven't figured out yet, or will never tell you. Your work bestie doesn't need to share your office, or even your company, with you.

I witnessed this play out weekly in my previous coworking space. These connections went beyond job titles or functions. They were about finding someone you could count on and trust.

In fact, external besties are better. I would argue that finding your work bestie outside your company is actually more resilient. Here's why:

• They're solely invested in your interests
• They won't be distracted by company targets and goals
• The relationship transcends any single workplace
• They provide perspective outside your company bubble

I saw this play out countless times at ThreeFortyNine:

• A retail shop owner helping an e-commerce founder rethink their packaging approach
• A developer and a student forming a lasting mentorship over coffee breaks
• Two remote workers from different companies pairing up for weekly accountability sessions
• A freelancer finding their first major client through casual conversations
• Startup founders becoming each other's unofficial advisors

These weren't formal mentorship programs or networking events. Just people working alongside each other, forming natural bonds, and choosing to invest in each other's success.

To make this work, you need to understand each other's goals and purpose. You need to commit to supporting each other, even when your companies or projects shift. Most importantly, you need to build trust that exists outside any organizational structure.

If you're in the Guelph area, I invite you to come find your new work bestie at ThreeFortyNine. We're creating exactly this kind of environment where authentic connections happen naturally and meaningful support flows freely.