By Cory Kirk, Marketing Manager
When I joined our company, I quickly learned that having a job and feeling connected at work are two very different things.
My role was based in Syracuse, New York, but the people I worked with most were spread across the U.S. For much of my first year, I spent my days moving from virtual meeting to virtual meeting without building many personal connections. Even though I was busy, I often felt like I was working alone.
Then our marketing team evolved.
As I began working more closely with teammates like Meghan Myers and Meghan Collins, something changed. What started as collaboration became friendship, and those friendships transformed how I experienced work.
Today, we help each other solve problems, share knowledge, navigate challenges, and celebrate successes. We know each other’s strengths and are willing to step in when someone needs support.
That may sound simple, but it has a powerful impact.
When you trust the people around you, you’re more willing to ask questions, share ideas, and lend a hand. You stop thinking solely about your own workload and start thinking about the success of the team.
Why Relationships Matter
Workplace friendships aren’t about blurring professional boundaries. They’re about creating the trust that allows teams to perform at their best.
For me, that trust shows up in practical ways every day. We help each other troubleshoot issues and cover responsibilities when needed, learning from each other’s expertise. Those interactions help us move faster and achieve better outcomes.
Just as importantly, they make work more enjoyable.
Everyone needs people they can talk to and learn from, and, even more importantly, rely on. Human connection is a powerful motivator, and it creates an environment where people want to contribute to shared success.
Building One Novanta
One Novanta is more than a phrase. It’s what happens when employees across teams and locations come together around common goals while supporting one another along the way.
Many of those connections begin through everyday moments. A company event. A conversation over lunch. Introducing yourself to someone new. Participating in a team activity.
Those small interactions often grow into the relationships that strengthen collaboration and help teams succeed.
Looking back, the biggest difference between my first year and today isn’t the work itself. It’s the people.
The friendships I’ve built have made me a better teammate and helped me achieve more.
At the end of the day, the great teams are the ones built on genuine human connections.