This episode was written, hosted, and produced by Akshaya Chandrasekaran with inputs from Snigdha Sharma. The audio engineering is by Rajiv CN. The survey is designed by Anushka Mukherjee. Podcasting is truly an ensemble act. A whole bunch of us had to come together to make this episode happen. By virtue or working together so much, we found a camaraderie. But there is also friendly rivalry that sets us apart in unique ways.

A work life without friends is lonely and scary. In fact, the top reason behind job satisfaction is having a work best friend. You stay at the company for longer than you normally would if you have a work friend. You go the extra mile at work if it’s your friend is headlining the project. You are less likely to call in sick at work if you have a work bestie. It’s almost like a best friend at work is a gift that keeps on giving.

Still, one of the most common pieces of career advice we have all received is never to turn your colleagues into friends. Keep it polite. Keep it impersonal. And definitely keep them at a distance. In factors, many employers actively disincentivize forming close work friendships. When do you collaborate? When do compete? How do you set boundaries between professional and personal?

On today’s episode of The First Two Years, I take you into the messiness of work friendships and why so many of us endeavor to make one despite all the complications that come with it.