We believe we have a truly unique team. We discuss everything openly and support each other. There are no formal roles of managers or subordinates; instead, we ask and receive leadership as needed, like any other assistance you can ask in a workplace.
We also talk about things that aren’t always discussed in workplaces. We know each other’s skills, weaknesses, stress profiles, tendencies, and aspirations. But we also share what feels right to tell about our health conditions, travels, friends (both human and animal), and family situations. Together, we consider how to tackle major challenges, such as the COVID-19 pandemic.
How much should work life differ from the rest of life? Can colleagues at work be part of your natural social circle, whether tightly knit or more loosely connected? What is work friendship, and how do we nurture it to build a winning team? Many workplaces ask these questions. How can shared fun and joy at work translate into results and better service for customers? How can leadership be genuinely shared, and in what ways?
These are the themes we want to explore with you.
Work Friendship Support Through Pandemics, Remote Work, and Change
In 2020 and 2021, the spread of the coronavirus was closely monitored everywhere. Across Finland, workplaces shifted to remote work wherever possible, canceled business trips, and moved all meetings online. Hand sanitiser became ubiquitous, handshakes were avoided, and everyone awaited vaccinations.
At Infine, we stayed close to our screens, as the evolving situation raised concerns, especially with risk-group members in our team. Worries about colleagues and loved ones in vulnerable groups were present in both business decisions and personal lives. Two team members even canceled their Business Slalom trip to Tahko to avoid any unwanted “souvenirs,” and we set up a shared emergency supply cabinet in the office.
For a technology startup, transitioning to full-time remote work wasn’t as drastic as it was for some other industries. Still, we carefully discussed the move together. To stay true to our culture and values, we made the collective decision to work remotely and maintain our connections primarily through Zoom. We agreed on rules and practices to keep communication and collaboration as natural and effective as possible.
As part of peer support, we decided to share our experiences on Infine’s Instagram profile. Team members posted stories from the office, home offices, or other work settings. This was also a way to shed light on the daily life of a sustainability design agency, our work culture, and how sustainable lifestyles can be maintained even in changing circumstances.
When the pandemic eased, we faced yet another change: How often should we gather in person? If everyone decided individually about remote or in-office days, would they prioritize their health, comfort, face-to-face collaboration, the team’s best interests, and time with work friends?
We decided on a weekly team office day, with additional in-office or remote arrangements as needed. The system was adjusted when necessary, but we found that planning ahead and having a consistent schedule made organizing work and life much easier.
In Work Friendship, Every Colleague is Your Bestie
Sharing with work friends builds trust, increases empathy, and strengthens both individuals and teams to face challenges.
As a company, we aim to continue operating with extreme openness and equality, sharing responsibilities and supporting each other to focus on what we each do best. Successful work friendships empower us, foster tolerance for differences, and enable the seamless sharing of information and ideas.