A recent New York Times article referenced a 2006 study of almost 3,000 nurses who had breast cancer. The study found that women without close friends were four times more likely to die from their disease than women with 10 or more friends.
I find that both astonishing and obvious.
Friends connect us to something greater than ourselves. Friends weave us into the fabric of our communities and our companies. Friends strengthen us and give us a reason to try.
Without friends it's often hard to see that we can make a difference. Without friends we forget that each of us matters. Without friends emptiness engulfs us.
There was a time when friendship at work was considered inappropriate. Today we understand that friendship at work increases our productivity and our job satisfaction. Which is a pretty good reason for leaders to think about it. But certainly, not the best reason.
Jack's latest book, The Foundation of Management is now available for free from Opus.
