Build a Culture of Friendship

A note to young leaders.
Relationships matter. They matter more than you can possibly imagine when you first set out to lead.

That’s why all great leaders and all great cultures encourage friendships.

At EG, we quietly promote a “four friends for life” policy.

Our aim is that anyone who works with us for 3-years or more should end up with at least four friendships that last long after they have left EG.
This is particularly important for men. Research shows that men stop making new friends after the age of thirty-five. And since friendships tend to atrophy over time, many men by the age of sixty-five end up spending time only with their immediate family.

And yet all the longitudinal studies show that longevity, health and happiness are significantly improved if a person has multiple active friendships outside of family.

So, if you want to lead with impact, cultivate a culture that fosters friendship. It’s a policy that will make you proud one day, I promise.