Types of Friends to Make in The Workplace - Even Virtually

While thinking about the lingering toll of pandemic related challenges on our day to day and mental health, I realized, we are all re-inventing how we cope in virtualization.

I took a moment to think about Tom Rast’s list of the eight most common friend types (from his book Vital Friends: The People You Can't Afford to Live Without) and took a moment to apply it to my professional life.

I think that we all should have a good smattering of people that you work with that are in these roles. Pete Kim has always been my Energizer. Annie Wilks my Navigator. Sir Martin is a good new Mind Opener for me, however, I often learn the most from those the most distant & different from myself. I am personally looking for some more Champions at work? Any takers?

I hope this kick starts a few ideas for you to stay connected and build that social and professional network in an increasingly virtual and remote world.

Here’s an overview of the eight friend types Rast defines:

The Builder: Builders are friends who motivate you, invest in your development, and truly want you to succeed — even if it means they have to go out on a limb for you. These friends help you see your strengths and advise you on how best to use them.

The Champion: Champions stand up for you and your beliefs, and they sing your praises. They are the friends who "have your back" and who will advocate for you even when you're not around.

The Collaborator: Collaborators are friends with similar interests — the basis for many great friendships. Shared interests are what often make Collaborators lifelong friends and those with whom you are most likely to spend your time.

The Companion: Companions are always there for you, whatever the circumstances. When something big happens in your life — good or bad — these are the people you call first. 

The Connector: These friends get to know you and then instantly work to connect you with others who will share your interests or goals. They extend your network dramatically and give you access to new resources. 

The Energizer: Energizers are your fun friends who always boost your spirits and create more positive moments in your life. They pick you up when you're down and can turn a good day into a great day.

The Mind Opener: Mind openers expand your horizons and introduce you to new ideas, opportunities, cultures, and people. They challenge you to think in innovative ways and allow you to express opinions that you might be uncomfortable articulating to others.

The Navigator: Navigators are friends who give you advice and keep you headed in the right direction. You seek them out when you need guidance and counsel — they're great at talking through your options.

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Christopher Martin is a lifelong entrepreneur and currently the Co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of MightyHive, a global leader in advanced marketing and technology services that deploys and supports enterprise software for real-time, data-driven marketing. He also sits on the executive board of directors for S4Capital, one of the largest and most successful digital advertising consultancies worldwide.