You may have heard some be called a “work husband” or “work wife” in the office before, playful terms of endearment we sometimes use for the co-workers we end up spending a lot of time with.
But with Father’s Day coming up this weekend, I wanted to talk about “work dads,” or the mentors who stay connected to you throughout your entire career and become paternal figures.
Paternal connections
I have a “work dad,” a colleague who took me under his wing some 25 years ago and has been a strong positive force ever since. I couldn’t imagine my career without him, and to this day I still rely on his advice and guidance.
We already know that on-the-job mentorships are very effective at increasing engagement and overall job confidence at the workplace, but the long-term paternal connections that spring from those mentorships can be much more valuable to the individual.
Studies have shown that sustained involvement from a father or father figure can encourage less emotional and behavioral difficulties, more satisfactory personal relationships, along with reducing psychological stress — all of that leads to a better work experience.
Father figures
It’s no secret that a strong, reliable father or father figure in a person’s life can make a world of difference in their development as a person, and usually lead to more positive work and life outcomes. As with all forms of employee appreciation, creating genuine and meaningful connections give you the biggest return.
If you have a work dad too, be sure to tell them thanks this Father’s Day.