Successful People and the Test of Friendship
Success doesn’t happen in isolation—it’s shaped by the people around us. One of the most revealing tests in life is friendship, especially when ambition, growth, and challenges come into play. True friends stand by you during failures, celebrate your wins without envy, and push you to be better. But not all friendships pass this test. Our friends are not the kind of people we want but the kind of people we are. We don't choose our friends; we get them as what we are. Successful People must have understood the role of their friends in their successful business or personal life. So, they choose such friends, who will come to their rescue at the time of crisis.
People frequently act inappropriately in an attempt to gain acceptance, claiming that "it is cool," without recognizing that they will be rejected. What appears to be peer pressure could actually be a friendship test. Where are they going to be? when you're having problems? To what extent will they go to assist you? The most important query is: How will they be able to assist you tomorrow if they don't have the character today? Being around morally upright people boosts one's self-esteem.
Successful people know that few friends are better than millions of friends, who will borrow their umbrella when there is sunshine or withdraw when there is rain.
The operationalization of
business friendship in practice should rely solely on the co-occurrence of the
categories of affective-personal relationship and commercial relationship. One method for gathering business friendships
through network surveys is to question participants to consider the group of people with whom they have a specific
commercial relationship (such as suppliers, buyers, coworkers, or competitors)
and inquire about whoever the respondent feels a good affinity for ("Who
do you like?"; "Who would you do a favor for?").
Another option is to ask
participants to enumerate every person in their network, after which they can
look into the instrumental and emotive connections between each
individual. One major benefit of both of
these methods is that, as opposed to merely asking respondents who their
friends are, they use a direct indicator of the emotive content of a particular
relationship. That latter strategy would
be skewed by people's propensity to avoid calling persons they have a significant
material relationship with "friends" (Fischer, 1982); this resistance
stems from the conflicts that are the subject of this essay.
The phrase
"relational exchange" can be used to describe many of the useful
advantages of business friendships.
Relational exchange is a type of transaction system that differs from
economic trade in that its accounting is somewhat imprecise. The valuations of the goods to be traded are
precisely specified in commercial exchange, even if a When a material
good is exchanged for a commitment to pay for something later, the item is
recognized.
Relational exchange has the advantage of reducing transaction costs in a commercial setting and, in turn, facilitating some transactions that would not be feasible otherwise. The buyer-supplier interactions that are a part of social relationships are the most frequently cited instances in the literature on organizations. The connections between buyers and sellers in the apparel sector that are rooted in professional friendships are explained by Uzzi (1996). Because of their mutual influence, the parties are able to engage in transactions that would be prohibitively costly if they had to rely on formal contracts rather than trust
Although not everyone has friends at work, friendship is a protective factor for mental health in the workplace. There were more work friendships in 1985 than there are now, according to prevalence data , and almost half of those in the workforce now have at least one friend at work. According to data, baby boomers are almost 10% more likely than millennials to have coworkers.
Since we spend a greater portion of our waking hours at work than at home, it makes sense that we would desire to establish relationships with our coworkers. We want our work to seem meaningful, and having allies and confidants we can trust helps create that sensation. When we need to rejoice and offer support regarding our personal and professional life, we turn to our coworkers. Without that release, work might feel alienating and lonely. There are no attachments. Even though we enjoy our jobs and have the opportunity to apply our skills and abilities every day, we most likely lack the energy and motivation to give our all in our duties.
We naturally want to build relationships with our coworkers because we spend a larger percentage of our waking hours at work than at home. Having trustworthy partners and confidants contributes to the sense of purpose that we want our job to have. We turn to our colleagues when we need to celebrate and provide support in both our personal and professional lives. Work could be lonely and alienating without that outlet. No attachments are present. We probably don't have the energy or drive to put our best effort into our work, even though we enjoy it and get to use our skills and abilities every day.
Close, trustworthy relationships are what people naturally desire in both their personal and professional lives. Having a "best friend" at work enhances communication, commitment, and other aspects of the employee experience. In fact, despite the sharp rise in remote and mixed employment, new Gallup data indicates that having a closest friend at work has been more significant since the pandemic began.
Because they are more than just a nice relationship or social connection, best buddies at work influence results. Being able to rely on someone during good times and bad is what makes work friends so important. Someone who truly cares about you and has your back. No matter where or when they work, these genuine friendships help people feel more invested in their work and make them more productive and long-lasting.
Workflows, team structures, and other procedures can make or destroy an employee's capacity to form genuine connections at work. Leaders should evaluate how elements such as time constraints and performance standards help or hinder having best buddies at work. Managers are also in charge of creating a local team environment that fosters cooperation and trust. Managers should, whenever feasible, remove barriers to interaction and foster an environment where staff members feel free to connect and offer support.
The secret to developing best friends at work is to promote regular communication and interaction. Additionally, it fosters performance excellence: employees who are best friends may support one another, uphold accountability, exchange ideas, and use their abilities to create a better product by talking to each other and bringing their true selves to work. Leaders set the example for communication by fostering an environment where cordial discussion is accepted. Managers should, for example, send out weekly team emails to celebrate birthdays and anniversaries, promote appreciation, and share what the team is working on.
For instance, one client organization started a weekly gathering for the entire business to highlight one employee's best friend at work. Despite its straightforward design, this regular event connects and inspires staff members with its strong, repeated messaging about having a best friend at work. Employees may discuss the significance of their workplace best friend or the ways in which their at-work support network has helped them in these weekly best buddy pieces. In any case, it brings coworkers together and inspires them with the amazing benefits of having best friends at work.
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In this article, we’ll explore:
- Why friendship is a true test of character—for both
successful people and those around them
- How success reveals who your real friends are
- Signs of genuine vs. toxic friendships in the
journey to success
- How to nurture strong, supportive friendships while growing personally and professionally
Why Friendship is a Litmus Test for Success
Success changes dynamics—sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. The way people react to your growth tells you everything about their intentions.
🔹 Real Friends:
- Celebrate your achievements
- Support you during setbacks
- Give honest feedback, even when it’s hard
- Stay loyal when you’re no longer "useful" to them
🔹 Fake Friends:
- Feel threatened by your success
- Disappear when you’re struggling
- Flatter you only when you’re winning
- Expect favors without reciprocation
As Oprah Winfrey once said:
> "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
How Success Reveals Who Your True Friends Are
1. They Stick
Around During Your Struggles
Many people enjoy the fun, successful version of you—but only real friends stay when you’re facing challenges. If someone vanishes during your low moments, they were never truly invested in you, just in what you could offer.
2. They’re
Genuinely Happy for Your Wins
Jealousy is a silent friendship killer. A true friend won’t downplay your achievements or make snide remarks. Instead, they’ll cheer for you as if your success were their own.
3. They Challenge
You to Be Better
A real friend doesn’t just nod along—they call you out when you’re slacking, making bad decisions, or losing sight of your values. They hold you accountable because they care about your growth.
4. They Don’t
Keep Score
Toxic friendships often feel transactional: "I helped you, so now you owe me." True friends support you without expecting anything in return.
Signs of a Fake Friend (Especially When You’re Succeeding)
🚩 They Suddenly Distance Themselves
- If you notice friends pulling away as you grow, it may be because they feel insecure or resentful.
🚩 They Undermine Your Success
- Backhanded compliments like "Must be nice to have it easy" or "You just got lucky" reveal hidden jealousy.
🚩 They Only Reach Out When They Need Something
- If a "friend" only appears when they want a favor, connection, or financial help, they’re not a real friend.
🚩 They Gossip About You Behind Your Back
- True friends defend your reputation, not spread negativity when you’re not around.
How Successful
People Nurture Real Friendships
1. They Choose
Quality Over Quantity
Warren Buffett once said:
> "It takes 20 years to build a reputation and
five minutes to ruin it."
The same applies to friendships. Successful people
surround themselves with a small, trusted circle rather than hundreds of superficial
connections.
2. They Stay
Humble and Grateful
Success can breed arrogance, but true leaders remain
grounded. They acknowledge the role their friends played in their journey and
express gratitude.
3. They Protect
Their Energy
Time is precious. Successful people don’t waste it on
toxic relationships. They set boundaries and distance themselves from
energy-draining people.
4. They Give
Back
Real friendships thrive on mutual support. Whether
through mentorship, encouragement, or simply being present, successful people
invest in their friends just as much as they invest in their goals.
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Final Thought:
The True Test of Friendship
Success isn’t just about money, fame, or
achievements—it’s about who stays with you through the journey. The right
friends will lift you higher, keep you grounded, and remind you of what truly
matters.
Ask yourself today:
✔ Who has been there for me at my lowest?
✔ Who genuinely celebrates my wins?
✔ Who do I need to distance myself from for my
growth?
True friendship is rare—cherish it.
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Call to Action
Have you experienced friendships changing after
success? How did you handle it? Share your thoughts in the comments! If this
resonated with you, don’t forget to share it with someone who needs to hear
this.
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