Isn't it great having friends?
What would we do without them?
But have you ever worked with friends – on a regular basis?
There are many opinions about this, some are pro and some are con.
Most of us have various circles of friends.
- We have our family which can also be considered as the first or the inner friend circle
- Then there friends from the neighborhood
- Friends from work
- Friends from school
- Friends who we know through our children
- and of course we can't forget our virtual friends.
Can working with friends improve productivity in the office or business environment? Most studies say "yes"
Here are a few questions that you should ask each other before committing to working together:
- How will you react to suddenly being together all the time?
- How will your roles change?
- Who will be "in charge?"
- How will you resolve conflict?
- Will you be able to separate your personal and business relationships?
I have friends who have been working together for years, successfully, they are also husband and wife and parents to two beautiful children.
Jill and Amnon are two very talented dancers who travel around the world performing
together "Two Worlds"
I asked Jill what is the best about working with your best friend who is also your husband, this is what she said:
"We get to be together, creating new art everyday together. We have no trust issues, we both have learned to listen to each others ideas, accept them or not, but always discussing them, and respecting each others opinions. It is convenient to work with Amnon, we have the same working schedule! It was great when the kids were younger – we just packed them up and took them with us." "Because we travel all over the world we also enjoy experiencing new places together – that is wonderful, Amnon see's things that I don't and I hear things that he doesn't, sharing this is fascinating."
I asked Jill what she thinks what there key to success is and her biggest tip she would give to others who are contemplating working together:
Learn to listen to each other! Learn to bend – it is reciprocal!
