From Colleagues to Lifelong Friends: The Power of Genuine Work Relationships

This summer, I finally got to meet my ever-brilliant colleague, Tolami Franklin, in person while she was visiting from London on holiday. We’ve been there for each other through some tough career moments, so when we finally met face-to-face, it felt like we’d known each other forever!

Tolami, who’s a new mom, brought her sweet baby along, and I was quickly promoted to "rich auntie" status when the little one instantly warmed up to me.

This whole experience got me thinking about how important it is to build strong, genuine relationships at work. Networking at work shouldn’t always feel transactional—it’s about creating real connections that go beyond just exchanging business cards or adding someone on LinkedIn. When you invest in relationships with people at all levels, you open the door to unexpected support, collaboration, and even lifelong friendships.

So, here’s to those work connections that become much more than just colleagues. They really do make the journey so much richer. #WorkRelationships #CareerGrowth #FAW