The most widely read magazine for Canadian lawyers
Issue link: https://digital.canadianlawyermag.com/i/1507414
www.canadianlawyermag.com 47 Research demonstrates that cooperating with others activates the same reward circuitry in your brain as when you eat chocolate. So cooperating makes you feel good too. If you want to develop an influential and effective team, consider the role that friendship can play in helping to create the culture you need to excel. As you do this, remember the words of relationship expert Dale Carnegie: "You can make more friends in two months by becoming interested in other people than you can in two years by trying to get other people interested in you." Inspiring happiness Having a solid network is vital to career success, but it's meaningless if the relationships in that network aren't genuine. It's easy to spot the person who can network, network, network, yet the relationship is superficial and highly transactional. A relationship that focuses purely on what you can get from it fuels disconnection. Connection is at the root of all human existence. Having someone you can share experiences with, bounce ideas off, and talk through problems with is good for the soul. When you work with people you like, the work is more enjoyable, and you are likely to find yourself more connected. When you feel more connected at work, you'll feel happier. Of course, being happier sparks a whole range of additional benefits. Accelerating progress Good friends don't just agree with you. They challenge and inspire you to greater heights. They help you see things from different perspectives and explore new ideas. It's much easier to take input and feedback from a friend who you trust. Similarly, having an affiliative and collaborative environment makes it easier for ideas to be debated, agreed on, and progressed. Having a solid network is vital to career success, but it's meaningless if the relationships in that network aren't genuine Michelle Gibbings is a workplace expert and the award-winning author of three books. Her latest book is Bad Boss: What to Do if You Work for One, Manage One or Are One. For more information, visit www.michellegibbings.com.