Ah, Valentine’s Day. Love is in the air, hearts are everywhere, and… maybe you’re sneaking a glance at your coworker across the office? I get it. I’ve been there. Few things are more thrilling than that spark – the lingering eye contact during a meeting, the casual “accidental” lunch meetup, the heart-fluttering tension of sharing an elevator ride. It’s the kind of thing they make Netflix rom-coms about. But listen to me: TRUST ME, DON’T DO IT!
As someone who has had her fair share of workplace crushes, and maybe more… (but we’ll keep that between us), let me be the voice of reason here. While it might feel like a great idea in the moment, workplace romances rarely end well. The stakes are just too high, and the fallout? Messy. Awkward. Potentially career-damaging. Imagine trying to give a presentation while making direct eye contact with someone you’ve just ghosted or navigating a team project after a messy break-up. Not fun at all.
But this blog isn’t just about why you should swipe left on your coworker crush. It’s about something deeper: the power of relationships at work – but the platonic kind.
Why Solid Workplace Relationships Matter
Let’s be real. We spend more time at work than we do with most of our loved ones. If you’re going to spend that much time with people, building solid, healthy relationships is crucial. Having strong connections at work can do wonders for your mental health, make the long days feel shorter, and actually boost your overall job satisfaction. A great team vibe can transform even the most stressful job into something enjoyable.
But here’s the thing: sometimes, especially in the high-energy, young-and-fun Tel Aviv high-tech scene, we fall into the trap of making our workplace our entire world. Happy hours, shared holidays, inside jokes. It’s all fun and games until your personal and professional life are so intertwined you don’t know where one ends and the other begins. That’s a huge mistake. Why? Because balance is everything. Your personal and professional relationships will thrive the best when both are healthy and stable, and when they stay in their own lanes.
Building the Right Kind of Connections
So, how do we strike that balance? By focusing on creating strong, supportive relationships in the workplace – not romantic ones.
Start with your equals: your teammates, your peers, your work besties. These are the people who make the daily grind bearable. Grab lunch together, offer to help them on a project, or simply share a good laugh over coffee. It’s amazing what a little camaraderie can do for your day-to-day.
But don’t stop there. Step out of your comfort zone and build cross-functional relationships. Get to know people in other departments, even if you don’t directly work with them. The marketing guy you see in the kitchen? The HR girl you only email once a quarter? Say hi. Smile. Be approachable. People are drawn to those who radiate positivity and confidence.
And don’t forget about the higher-ups. CEOs and senior staff often seem more intimidating, but they’re just people. While it’s essential to maintain respect for their position, it’s also important to find ways to connect with them. Join the conversations they’re part of. Be visible. Make a thoughtful comment in a meeting. This not only enhances your workplace relationships but can also open doors you didn’t even know existed.
The Bottom Line
This Valentine’s Day, instead of fantasising about an office romance, focus on building meaningful relationships that will serve you in the long run. Your career – and your mental health – will thank you. Because while that morning tension in the elevator might be fun for a while, the joy of having a strong, supportive work community lasts far, far longer.
So swipe left, my friends. Onward to building connections that count.
Girl in HR x
