Here's Why You Should Make a Few Frenemies at the Office

Updated 6/19/2020

You can't be best friends with every co-worker. But this New York Magazine video will tell you why making some of them "frenemies" can benefit you.

Truth: Most places are better when you have friends there with you.

And this is true for work, too. Muse writer Stacey Gawronski indicates that a “work wife” (or husband) can be someone you vent to, someone who can rein you in when you’re about to freak out or send a snarky email, and—best of all—someone you can be yourself around.

But what about the colleagues you don’t get along with that well? Research shows that instead of automatically labeling these co-workers as “Enemy #1,” you should actually befriend them. Well—sort of.

You won’t share every deep dark secret with them, nor will they be the people you turn to when your boss is being difficult. But in a very “Keep your friends close and your enemies closer” type of way, there are benefits to making some of your co-workers your frenemies. Watch this video to find out what those benefits are.

Abby is a writer, career coach, and health educator living in Portland, Maine. When she’s not trying to make the world a happier and healthier place, you can find her cuddling with her cats, hunting down the city's best coffee and grilled cheese, or dipping her toes in the Atlantic. Say hi on Twitter .