I'm not here to make work friends. Or am I?

Managers, peers, work friends, mentors, frenemies, annoying people, romantic interests, people with awful politics, your boss's boss, and so on . . . we probably spend more hours with our coworkers than with anyone else. So even if they're not all perfect, it's worth it to build connections that will provide you with support, help you network and learn, and keep your career moving forward.

Bosses, Coworkers, and Building Great Work Relationships is filled with practical advice from HBR experts that can help you answer questions like:

• What should I do to show my boss I'm ready for a bigger role?
• How do I connect with people and make real friends at work?
• Is there a way to have tough conversations without setting myself up for drama?
• When should I opt in (or out) of office politics?
• What can I do to fix things after an awkward situation?
• How can I quiet my mind when I'm anxious about what other people think of me?

This book will help you make so-so work relationships better, keep the bad ones from bringing you down, and build lasting connections with incredible people.

Rise faster with quick reads, essential advice, and relatable stories.

It's not easy to figure out work when you're still exploring who you are and what you want in life. How do you translate your interests, skills, and education into a career you love while also navigating a new work environment?

The Work Smart series explores topics that matter to you: being yourself at work, collaborating with (sometimes difficult) colleagues, maintaining your mental health, and more. Each title includes chapter takeaways and dozens of resources so that you can go beyond the book to engage in the media you learn from best. Work Smart series books are your go-to guides to step into and move forward successfully in your professional world.