Catherine Ripley, President and CEO of Symplicity Communications, founded her award-winning company in 2007 and grew it into the thriving business it is today. She's also an active member of Inforum. Through both roles, Ripley has built countless professional relationships, some of which have deepened into lasting personal friendships.
That's what happened with a colleague Susie*.
"We got to know each other through years of lunches, dinners, and client meetings," Ripley said. Their working relationship was steady and collaborative. Then, during a business lunch, they discussed their concern for a mutual friend who'd been diagnosed with stage 4 cancer.
Both women wanted to offer their support. "We decided to fly from Michigan to Florida together and spend the weekend with her," Ripley recalled. "We gave her some updates from work, so she still felt connected, but mostly we just showed up for her."
That trip marked a turning point. "Now our relationship goes far beyond business. We ask about each other's families and care deeply about each other. That's the magic of relationships. They evolve."
Why These Friendships Matter
You may crave this relational depth or be wary of it. Either is completely normal. For many, navigating the line between professional and personal relationships can feel tricky. Even when a connection feels easy, we may hesitate to grow it. But in today's workplace, genuine friendships can be a powerful source of resilience.
"When you're surrounded by people who cheer you on, support your growth, and challenge you to aim higher, it builds confidence," Ripley said. "And that confidence is what helps you stretch, take risks, and move beyond your comfort zone."
A 2022 Gallup study found that employees who have a "best friend" at work are more engaged, more productive and more likely to stay. These connections can make the day-to-day more enjoyable, but they can also help us manage stress and deepen our sense of purpose.
Cultivating Connections
"When you find someone you genuinely connect with, it's important to consider how you want to develop that relationship," Ripley said, noting it starts with listening well and being willing to offer help when you can. Just as important is understanding what the other person hopes to gain from the connection. Authentic relationships are rooted in curiosity—whether that's asking a thoughtful question, recalling a detail from an earlier conversation, or simply following up after a tough meeting.
"Intentionality matters," Ripley said. "And I believe when you're a giver, you receive." Approaching relationships with a spirit of generosity, without expecting anything in return, creates space for trust and meaningful dialogue. "That's where genuine connection happens."
Not every work relationship needs to blossom into a lifelong friendship. Some are seasonal, and that's OK. The goal isn't quantity. It's quality.
Bridging Differences
Not everyone navigates work relationships the same, and much of that comes down to generational differences. Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z often bring distinct connection styles. "People communicate differently," said Ripley. "For example, I don't call my granddaughter, I text her. She'll answer that more quickly!"
So what's the "right" way to build a relationship? The key is to respect each person's preferences and boundaries. Pay attention to how someone prefers to communicate and let that guide your approach. Differences may be generational, but they can also be rooted in personality.
"The important thing is to show up and meet people where they are, and then listen," Ripley said. "At the end of the day, people want to feel valued and supported."
When Colleagues Become Friends
Professional relationships often deepen when we show up for one another during life's harder moments, as Ripley and her colleagues did when supporting a mutual friend facing a serious illness.
Challenging circumstances offer natural opportunities to extend empathy and support. These moments don't come in every connection, but when they do, they can turn a work relationship into something more personal, trusted, and real. Sometimes, the best part of the job isn't the work—it's who we find along the way.
* pseudonym
Kirsetin Morello is a Michigan-based author, speaker, writer, travel-lover, wife and grateful mom of three boys. Read more about her at www.KirsetinMorello.com.
This article originally appeared in the Aug/Sept '25 issue of West Michigan Woman.
