The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time
Want to be happier, healthier, and enjoy your job more?

Make better friends at work.

The data is in. It is virtually impossible to feel connected and supported in life when we don’t feel that way where we spend most of our time—at work. Whether we work remotely or in an office, who we interact with consistently impacts everything from our longevity and mental health to our career success and job satisfaction.

Unfortunately, too many of us don’t feel like we belong at work in the ways we need. In addition to the 20% of us who report feeling lonely at work almost all the time, 60% of us report feeling it at least half the time., and that disconnection is taking a toll: more stress and burnout, less energy, decreased loyalty to our company, and increased dread for “Monday morning.”

In The Business of Friendship, Shasta Nelson, a friendship expert, unpacks the distinct ways we can make work relationships the healthiest they can be, both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company. She inspires readers to see why friendship is crucial to our health and our careers and teaches us exactly how to develop the supportive and meaningful connections we need.

Our organizations benefit as well when our leaders encourage friendships at work. The outcome is higher levels of workplace productivity, employee retention, safety, innovation, collaboration, and profitability. In fact, having a best friend at work we are seven times more engaged in our job, which translates to better customer service, less absenteeism, fewer workplace accidents, and more loyalty to our organizations. The best employees are the ones who feel connected.

Work is to adults as school is to kids—a consistent place with familiar people. But too few of us are taking advantage of this environment. This leaves us no other choice but to try to get all our relational needs met in our off-work hours, where most of us already report feeling “too busy.” The result? We stay lonely, wishing for more meaningful connections.

Through Shasta’s stories, research, and practical guidance, she

  • Breaks down what creates healthy bonds and reveals the 3 requirements necessary in all healthy relationships and teams
  • Helps managers and employees assess the health of their relationships and learn ways to repair and improve them
  • Provides advice for addressing some of the biggest fears around workplace friendships, such as increased drama, favoritism, confidentiality, gossip, toxic coworkers, relationship with bosses, and potential romantic attractions

The Business of Friendship is for those who are ready to maximize the two most significant factors of our wellbeing—career and relationships. Whether you are a leader or an employee, when you feel more connected and supported at work, everyone wins.

1134978564
The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time
Want to be happier, healthier, and enjoy your job more?

Make better friends at work.

The data is in. It is virtually impossible to feel connected and supported in life when we don’t feel that way where we spend most of our time—at work. Whether we work remotely or in an office, who we interact with consistently impacts everything from our longevity and mental health to our career success and job satisfaction.

Unfortunately, too many of us don’t feel like we belong at work in the ways we need. In addition to the 20% of us who report feeling lonely at work almost all the time, 60% of us report feeling it at least half the time., and that disconnection is taking a toll: more stress and burnout, less energy, decreased loyalty to our company, and increased dread for “Monday morning.”

In The Business of Friendship, Shasta Nelson, a friendship expert, unpacks the distinct ways we can make work relationships the healthiest they can be, both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company. She inspires readers to see why friendship is crucial to our health and our careers and teaches us exactly how to develop the supportive and meaningful connections we need.

Our organizations benefit as well when our leaders encourage friendships at work. The outcome is higher levels of workplace productivity, employee retention, safety, innovation, collaboration, and profitability. In fact, having a best friend at work we are seven times more engaged in our job, which translates to better customer service, less absenteeism, fewer workplace accidents, and more loyalty to our organizations. The best employees are the ones who feel connected.

Work is to adults as school is to kids—a consistent place with familiar people. But too few of us are taking advantage of this environment. This leaves us no other choice but to try to get all our relational needs met in our off-work hours, where most of us already report feeling “too busy.” The result? We stay lonely, wishing for more meaningful connections.

Through Shasta’s stories, research, and practical guidance, she

  • Breaks down what creates healthy bonds and reveals the 3 requirements necessary in all healthy relationships and teams
  • Helps managers and employees assess the health of their relationships and learn ways to repair and improve them
  • Provides advice for addressing some of the biggest fears around workplace friendships, such as increased drama, favoritism, confidentiality, gossip, toxic coworkers, relationship with bosses, and potential romantic attractions

The Business of Friendship is for those who are ready to maximize the two most significant factors of our wellbeing—career and relationships. Whether you are a leader or an employee, when you feel more connected and supported at work, everyone wins.

19.99 In Stock
The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

by Shasta Nelson
The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

The Business of Friendship: Making the Most of Our Relationships Where We Spend Most of Our Time

by Shasta Nelson

Paperback

$19.99 
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Overview

Want to be happier, healthier, and enjoy your job more?

Make better friends at work.

The data is in. It is virtually impossible to feel connected and supported in life when we don’t feel that way where we spend most of our time—at work. Whether we work remotely or in an office, who we interact with consistently impacts everything from our longevity and mental health to our career success and job satisfaction.

Unfortunately, too many of us don’t feel like we belong at work in the ways we need. In addition to the 20% of us who report feeling lonely at work almost all the time, 60% of us report feeling it at least half the time., and that disconnection is taking a toll: more stress and burnout, less energy, decreased loyalty to our company, and increased dread for “Monday morning.”

In The Business of Friendship, Shasta Nelson, a friendship expert, unpacks the distinct ways we can make work relationships the healthiest they can be, both for the sake of the employee and the mission of the company. She inspires readers to see why friendship is crucial to our health and our careers and teaches us exactly how to develop the supportive and meaningful connections we need.

Our organizations benefit as well when our leaders encourage friendships at work. The outcome is higher levels of workplace productivity, employee retention, safety, innovation, collaboration, and profitability. In fact, having a best friend at work we are seven times more engaged in our job, which translates to better customer service, less absenteeism, fewer workplace accidents, and more loyalty to our organizations. The best employees are the ones who feel connected.

Work is to adults as school is to kids—a consistent place with familiar people. But too few of us are taking advantage of this environment. This leaves us no other choice but to try to get all our relational needs met in our off-work hours, where most of us already report feeling “too busy.” The result? We stay lonely, wishing for more meaningful connections.

Through Shasta’s stories, research, and practical guidance, she

  • Breaks down what creates healthy bonds and reveals the 3 requirements necessary in all healthy relationships and teams
  • Helps managers and employees assess the health of their relationships and learn ways to repair and improve them
  • Provides advice for addressing some of the biggest fears around workplace friendships, such as increased drama, favoritism, confidentiality, gossip, toxic coworkers, relationship with bosses, and potential romantic attractions

The Business of Friendship is for those who are ready to maximize the two most significant factors of our wellbeing—career and relationships. Whether you are a leader or an employee, when you feel more connected and supported at work, everyone wins.


Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781400216994
Publisher: HarperCollins Leadership
Publication date: 02/25/2025
Pages: 224
Product dimensions: 6.00(w) x 9.00(h) x (d)

About the Author

Shasta Nelson, MDiv, is a leading expert on friendship and healthy relationships, creator of a global community, keynote speaker, author of several books, and popular media resource. She is turned to frequently for her expertise by magazines and newspapers, online and print, including New York Times, Washington Post, USA Today, Forbes, Real Simple, and Health, and has been interviewed on TV shows such as Steve Harvey’s Steve, Katie Couric’s Katie, Fox Business, The Early Show, and TODAY.

As a keynote speaker and trainer, she speaks across the country, facilitates company off-sites, and consults with organizations committed to connection. Her spirited and soulful voice for strong relationships can be found in her previous books, Frientimacy: How to Deepen Friendships for Lifelong Health and Happiness (Seal Press/Hachette, 2016) and Friendships Don’t Just Happen! The Guide to Creating a Meaningful Circle of Girlfriends (Turner Books, 2013).

Table of Contents

Research and References ix

Introduction: Why We Need This Book xi

Part 1 Why Relationships Hatter at Work

1 How We Benefit from Friendships at Work 3

2 How Our Company Benefits from Our Friendships at Work 21

Part 2 What Makes All Relationships Actually Work?

3 What Is a Friendship? The Three Relationship Requirements 35

4 How Friendships Are Developed 47

The Frientimacy Triangle

5 How to Develop Relationships at Work That Are Positive 63

6 How to Develop Relationships at Work That Are Consistent 81

Including: How to feel close when working remotely, on global teams, or alone

7 How to Develop Relationships at Work That Are Vulnerable 105

Part 3 How to Make Relationships Work Better for Us

8 Healthy Goals and Expectations for Relationships at Work 127

Do We Have to be Friends With Everyone?

9 Reducing the Impact of "Toxic" Coworkers 139

Two Ways to Respond to Unhealthy Relationships

10 Increasing Belonging When We Feel Left Out 155

How to Respond to Cliques and Other Best Friends

Including: how to minimize gossip on our team

11 Fear of Favoritism, or Does It Have to Be Lonely at the Top? 169

How to Support Our Leaders Having Friends

12 Becoming Best Friends at Work 183

How to Develop Appropriate Friendships That Benefit the Team

Including: how to navigate the workplace when we're not getting along

Including: how to protect our relationships from unwanted romantic bonding

In Closing 201

About Free Bonus Chapter 203

Advice for Managers 205

Resources and Ideas for Friendships at Work 211

Notes 213

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