The transformational power of a workplace bestie

On a typical Monday morning in August of 2021, Louise* logged on to a Zoom call to greet her colleagues. This morning, though, a new face appeared and a woman named Ana* introduced herself to the team. “There was something about her,” Louise recalls. “She was funny and dry in the same way I am.” It wasn’t long before Louise had booked in a one-on-one meeting, and the pair — who lived in different cities — became fast friends.

“On that first call, Ana mentioned she had to go to the hospital that evening for treatment for a chronic health condition,” Louise says. “I asked if she wanted company.” Once they finished work and Ana was settled in the hospital, Louise called and stayed on the line with her new colleague for hours. “We watched two silly rom-coms — Sweet Home Alabama and something else — and our friendship was cemented forever.”