When we are starting up a business, we are more often than not working with a bunch of friends. The delicate balance of maintaining a business and our relationship with our friends is a thin line we have to tread on carefully. Similarly, when we are working on projects in school, we will be working with peers taking the same course and sometimes, our friends. This can be a great opportunity to discover the dynamics of working with our friends when we finally start our business.

People do have different levels of conscientiousness when working on a project and when we work with friends with a low level of conscientiousness, it could turn out to be a dangerous pitfall. So how do we get work done without affecting our friendships?

Problems that arise when working with friends :

1. When work is not done, it is hard to reprimand your friends.

2. Chit chat during meetings.

3. Punctuality Problems

Curbing these problems are essential. To do this:

1. Set ground rules when the groups are formed.

This is a very important part of working as a group. Ground rules set out the boundaries of work and sets the work aside from friendship. We need to make sure that friends working with us do not take advantage of the friendship to slack off at work.

2. Balance between conscientiousness and emotional intelligence when managing the team.

Managing a group of peers is especially hard because we do not have a hold on any factor that could possibly motivate our peers such as salary. However, our grades are at stake. Therefore, conscientious management of the group needs to be sustained with emotions taken into account.

We need to constantly be aware of the members of the team. Are they completing their tasks efficiently? Are they happy with their tasks? Are they competent in this area of the task?

3. Leave any unhappiness at the workplace

We all may disagree with each other sometimes. No one way may be right all the time. Unhappiness in teams are very common for an enormous spectrum of reasons but at the end of the day, we need to remember to leave all the heat at the workplace.

Group projects are good opportunities to learn organisational skills whilst keeping your friendships intact.