---
title: "Gallup Q12 Survey: How Leaders Can Successfully Act On Question 10"
description: Strong friendships at work contribute to a positive and supportive workplace culture. Here's how high-performing organizations make Q10 a success.
---

[Blog | CESA 6 ](https://www.cesa6.org/blog)

# [Gallup Q12 Survey: How Leaders Can Successfully Act On Question 10](https://www.cesa6.org/blog/gallup-q12-survey-how-leaders-can-successfully-act-on-question-10)

 Written by [Rochelle Blindauer](https://www.cesa6.org/blog/author/rochelle-blindauer) | Oct 14, 2025 1:00:00 PM

The tenth question in [Gallup’s Q12 engagement survey](https://www.cesa6.org/solutions/gallup-q12) is, "I have a best friend at work."

This question emphasizes the power of strong personal connections at work. Having a "best friend" at work is linked to higher levels of engagement, job satisfaction, and well-being, as it creates a supportive environment where employees can rely on each other.

In this tenth of twelve articles on Gallup’s Q12 engagement survey, we unpack this important question by covering the following topics:

- What High-Performing Organizations Do for Q10
- Where Organizations Can Go Wrong on Q10
- Suggestions for Improvement
- Tips for Managers to Support Q10
- Tip for Employees to Support Their Own Engagement on Q10
- Bonus: Q10 Engagement Activity

## What High-Performing Organizations Do for Q10

1. **Encourage Team Bonding: **Successful organizations foster a sense of camaraderie by organizing team-building activities and creating opportunities for employees to bond outside of work.
2. **Support Social Networks: **High-performing companies recognize that relationships are key to a positive work environment and provide opportunities for socializing and collaboration.

**High-Performing School Example:** Teachers have strong personal connections with their colleagues. There are regular opportunities for staff to bond outside of work, such as social events, team-building activities, or informal gatherings. This sense of camaraderie fosters a supportive atmosphere where teachers feel comfortable sharing ideas, challenges, and successes. Having strong relationships helps teachers feel supported, reducing stress and increasing job satisfaction.

## Where Organizations Can Go Wrong on Q10

1. **Ignoring Social Needs: **When the importance of building relationships is overlooked, employees may feel isolated or disconnected from their coworkers.
2. **Overemphasizing Work Over Relationships:** A sole focus on productivity and results can lead to burnout and disengagement if employees don’t have the chance to form meaningful connections.

## Suggestions for Improvement

1. **Organize Social Events:** Create regular opportunities for employees to socialize and get to know each other outside of work tasks, such as team lunches, happy hours, or outings.
2. **Promote Team Collaboration: **Encourage cross-functional teams and collaborative projects to help employees build relationships with different colleagues.
3. **Foster Involvement:** Ensure that all employees feel welcomed and included, regardless of role or background, to help build strong social bonds.

### Tips for Managers to Support Q10

1. **Encourage Socialization: **Support and encourage team-building activities, informal meetups, or virtual coffee chats to help employees form meaningful connections.
2. **Model Healthy Relationships: **Build your own strong relationships at work by being open, approachable, and supportive, encouraging others to follow your example.

### Tips for Employees to Support Their Own Engagement on Q10

Build Connections: Take the initiative to connect with your coworkers, share interests, and engage in conversations that foster deeper friendships.

## Bonus: Q10 Engagement Activity

**Q10:** "I have a best friend at work."

Activity: "Team Bonding Challenge"

Goal: To foster deeper personal connections and friendships among employees.

Instructions:

1. **Friendship Challenges: **Organize team-building activities or challenges that encourage employees to get to know each other better (e.g., a scavenger hunt, escape room, trivia contest).
2. **Buddy System: **Pair employees up as “buddies” for the month to encourage them to spend more time together, whether in work-related or social contexts.
3. **Social Meetups: **Host informal social events like happy hours, lunch outings, or virtual coffee chats to encourage bonding.

Outcome: Employees form stronger relationships, leading to a more cohesive and supportive team environment.

## Conclusion

Strong friendships at work not only enhance engagement but also contribute to a positive and supportive workplace culture. By encouraging relationships, providing opportunities to socialize, and fostering inclusivity, you can help create a workplace where employees thrive.

As we move through 2025, let’s make Q10 a priority in fostering an engaged and high-performing workforce. Stay tuned for next month’s issue, where we’ll dive into Q11: “In the last six months, someone has talked to me about my progress.”

**Need help with employee engagement? **[Contact us](https://www.cesa6.org/start-the-conversation) for guidance on measuring, analyzing, and improving employee engagement to drive better outcomes. Let’s work together to create a more engaged and successful workplace.

[View full post](https://www.cesa6.org/blog/gallup-q12-survey-how-leaders-can-successfully-act-on-question-10)

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