“Keep your friends for friendship, but work with the skilled and competent” is a phrase that emphasizes the importance of separating personal relationships from professional ones. It suggests that while friendships are valuable for emotional support and personal growth, when it comes to achieving tasks or goals, especially in a work environment, it is more beneficial to collaborate with individuals who possess the required skills and competence, irrespective of whether they are friends or not.
This quote highlights the potential pitfalls of mixing friendship with work. Friends may not always be the most qualified or competent individuals for a particular task or job. Relying on them in a professional setting could lead to substandard results, and could also strain the friendship if things go wrong. On the other hand, working with skilled and competent individuals, regardless of your personal relationship with them, increases the likelihood of achieving success and maintains professionalism.
In today’s world, this idea is highly relevant. In the age of start-ups and entrepreneurship, it’s common to see friends starting businesses together. While this can sometimes lead to success, it can also lead to failure if the friends lack the necessary skills or competence. It’s crucial to separate personal feelings from business decisions, and to choose business partners based on their abilities and qualifications, rather than personal relationships.
In terms of personal development, this quote suggests that we should be discerning in who we choose to work with or learn from. It’s important to surround ourselves with competent individuals who can help us grow and improve, rather than simply sticking with our friends out of comfort or loyalty. This doesn’t mean we should discard our friends, but rather that we should recognize the different roles that friends and colleagues can play in our lives.
