Wei Chuan's take on why friendships are essential in the workplace
Wei Chuan's take on workplace friendships
Wei Chuan Tan
Audit Manager
Mazars in Malaysia
Wei Chuan’s return to Mazars
You left Mazars for a bit, what made you come back?
For me, there are a few reasons that made me rejoin Mazars. I have always been attracted to the firm’s culture and values, which align with my personal beliefs and goals. This gives me a sense of belonging and purpose. Given the choice and opportunity, I decided to continue working in a positive and supportive environment and return to Mazars in Malaysia.
Further, I was also motivated by the positive relationships I developed with both top management and colleagues across Mazars, which have expanded beyond just work relationships and turned into friendships.
Friendships: an essential in the workplace
Why are friendships so important at work?
For me, friendships are essential in the workplace for several reasons. Firstly, they help to foster a positive work environment: having friendships at work makes the overall working experience more enjoyable. When people have positive relationships with their peers, they are likely to feel more comfortable, relaxed and engaged at work, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and motivation.
They are also important for collaboration and teamwork because when people have good relationships with their colleagues, they are more likely to communicate effectively, share knowledge and ideas, and work together to achieve common goals. Developing friendships enables us to be more at ease to communicate openly, honestly and respectfully with each other, which can help prevent misunderstandings, conflicts and other communication barriers.
Once of the factors that made me rejoin Mazars is the friendships I developed with existing Mazars colleagues. We have known each other for many years: we work together, we discuss together, we give and listen to advice from each other.
Having friendships also gives us a support system to get us through challenging times. Often, we turn to friends at work for advice, feedback and emotional support during difficult situations, which can help us cope with stress and maintain a positive outlook. Having friends at work makes me feel more comfortable, relaxed and engaged at work, which can lead to increased job satisfaction and motivation. I know I can count on my friends for support and advice whenever I have problems to face.
Finally, friendships can also help provide networking opportunities to make valuable connections and exchange information and resources that can help advance their careers. Overall, building and maintaining positive relationships with peers can be beneficial for individuals as well as for a company as a whole.
Key takeaways from professional relationships
Do you feel supported by your team?
Yes, definitely. Audit is about teamwork. I cannot complete a single engagement without my team’s support. Teamwork is critical in audit because it can improve efficiency, reduce errors, provide diverse perspectives and help support professional development.
What have your professional relationships taught you?
I have learnt a lot from the professional relationships I’ve developed in audit – from communication skills to professionalism, technical knowledge and teamwork.
Working with clients, colleagues and other stakeholders requires the ability to communicate clearly, listen actively, and build rapport. By engaging in professional relationships with clients and other stakeholders, I have learnt how to communicate more effectively and build better relationships.
In addition, as auditors, we are expected to maintain a high level of professionalism at all times. Meaning, we need to be reliable, respectful, and ethical in all our interactions. Each time I work with clients and other stakeholders, I am given the opportunity to practice and refine my professional skills, as well as my ability to handle challenging situations with tact and diplomacy.
Technical knowledge is also really important to our profession. We must have a strong understanding of accounting principles, audit methodologies and regulatory requirements. This is why it’s important to build professional relationships with experiences professionals – including clients and stakeholders who can share their skills and industry know-how so that we are up-to-date with changes in the industry.
Lastly, as I mentioned earlier, teamwork is essential in the field of audit and I have learnt so much through the strong professional relationships that I’ve built with colleagues over the years.
Advice to fresh graduates
What advice would you offer to fresh graduates looking to build their professional network?
Building a professional network is important for fresh graduates as it can help them to establish relationships with experienced professionals in their field, learn new skills, and explore career opportunities.
Here is some advice that I can share:
- Join professional associations related to your field: they can provide opportunities to attend events, meet other professionals and access resources such as job listings and education programmes.
- Build connections on LinkedIn: it is a powerful tool for building a professional network. Create a profile that highlights your skills and experience and start connecting with other professionals in your field. Be sure to personalise your connection requests and engage with your network by commenting on posts and sharing relevant content.
- Seek mentorship: look for opportunities to connect with experienced professionals who can provide guidance and support. This could be through a formal mentorship programme or by reaching out to professionals in your network who you admire.
- Volunteer: consider volunteering for organisations or events related to your field. This can provide opportunities to meet other professionals, gain new skills and demonstrate your commitment to your field.
- Be proactive: building a professional network takes time and effort. Be proactive in reaching out to professionals, attending events and following up with contacts. Don't be afraid to ask for advice or assistance when you need it.