If you’ve ever had a colleague who could make you laugh during a stressful meeting or a friend at work who brought you coffee after a tough week, you already know: workplace relationships matter. A lot.

In our careers, we talk a lot about performance, productivity, and hitting goals. But one of the most overlooked keys to thriving at work is something simple and deeply human: connection. In fact, building wholesome, positive relationships with coworkers can help each of us not only survive office politics and stressful seasons but actually enjoy our time at work.

Why Relationships at Work Matter

According to a 2022 report from Gallup, employees who have a best friend at work are twice as likely to be engaged in their jobs. Not only that, but people with strong workplace friendships report higher job satisfaction, better performance, and fewer safety incidents (Gallup, 2022).

Positive work relationships also benefit our mental health. A Harvard Business Review article notes that social connection at work is one of the strongest predictors of employee well-being. It improves resilience, reduces burnout, and creates a more supportive workplace culture (HBR, 2023).

In short? Relationships at work aren’t a distraction from the job. They help us do the job better.

What Scripture Says About Relationships

The Bible is clear: relationships are not just helpful—they’re essential to the way God designed us to live and work.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up.”

When challenges arise at work (and they will), God often works through our coworkers to provide wisdom, encouragement, and help.

In Proverbs 27:17, we’re reminded that, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” This kind of sharpening happens not in isolation but in community. Even in the workplace, our relationships can help us grow in faith and character.

Navigating Office Politics with People You Trust

Let’s face it: workplace dynamics aren’t always easy. Competition, gossip, and miscommunication can create tension. But having healthy relationships with coworkers can help you rise above it all with integrity and grace.

When you have trusted allies in your corner, you’re more likely to:

• Have honest conversations instead of letting misunderstandings fester.
• Gain perspective from someone who knows the inner workings of your team or company.
• Stay grounded in who you are, even when decisions or politics feel confusing or unfair.

Having a support system at work means you don’t have to navigate difficult situations alone. Instead, you can lean on others—and be someone others lean on, too.

Relationships That Lighten the Load

During high-pressure seasons, like end-of-quarter sprints or major transitions, relationships with coworkers can be a lifeline.

Research by MIT Sloan Management Review found that positive workplace relationships improve psychological safety, meaning employees feel safer to take risks, share ideas, and speak up under pressure (MIT, 2021).

Just as Moses needed Aaron and Hur to hold up his arms during battle (Exodus 17:12), we all need people to come alongside us when the demands feel too heavy. Healthy workplace friendships remind us we’re not in this alone.

How to Start and Nurture Positive Workplace Relationships

Whether you’re new to your workplace or simply want to deepen your connections, here are a few intentional steps you can take to build meaningful relationships:

1. Start Small, Stay Consistent

Say good morning. Ask how someone’s weekend went. Remember birthdays. Small acts of kindness build trust over time.

2. Be a Good Listener

James 1:19 urges us to be “quick to listen, slow to speak.” In a workplace full of voices and opinions, taking time to really hear someone builds a sense of value and connection.

3. Invite Conversation

Take a colleague to lunch or coffee. Host a casual team hangout. No need to have a big agenda—just make space for conversation outside of meetings and tasks.

4. Stay Out of Gossip

Healthy relationships are built on trust. Ephesians 4:29 reminds us to speak only what is helpful for building others up. Choose to be a voice of encouragement, not division.

5. Pray for Your Coworkers

Even if they never know you’re doing it, lifting up your colleagues in prayer shifts your heart toward love and understanding. Ask God to bless their work, their families, and their hearts.

6. Set Healthy Boundaries

Good relationships also require clarity. Be clear about your time, your values, and your needs. Healthy boundaries make space for deeper connection without burnout or resentment.

Give Yourself (and Others) Grace

Not every coworker will become your best friend—and that’s okay. But showing up with kindness, respect, and a heart open to connection can transform not just your workday, but your whole outlook on your career.

And when conflicts do arise, as they inevitably will, Romans 12:18 gives us a roadmap: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” Healthy relationships aren’t perfect—they’re just grounded in grace.

You Were Made for Connection

God didn’t design you to thrive in isolation. He placed you in your workplace for a purpose—and part of that purpose is people. Your coworkers aren’t just names on an org chart. They’re opportunities for growth, encouragement, and reflection of God’s love.

So take a step today toward deeper connection. Send the message. Ask the question. Make the coffee date. You’ll be surprised how much lighter and more joyful your work becomes when you do it alongside people who care.

Practical Takeaways:

• Start small: Say hello and show kindness consistently.
• Listen well and be curious about others’ stories.
• Be a safe, gossip-free zone.
• Extend grace—no one is perfect.
• Don’t wait for others to reach out. Take the first step.
• Pray regularly for those you work with.