In today’s office culture of remote and hybrid work, the once-familiar rituals of water cooler chats, stopping by a colleague’s desk to catch up and post-work happy hours are fading. In tandem with this shift, the “work bestie” dynamic is also waning. Those relationships that make coming to the office something to look forward to—think casual coffee runs and team lunches—are becoming more rare.
Dubbed the ‘friendship recession,’—see this Gallup poll revealing only 20% of workers acknowledge having a work buddy—the decline of work friends is not only less of a draw for the workforce to return to the office on a hybrid schedule or at all, it’s not great news for employers. Research has repeatedly proven that strong relationships between coworkers not only boosts overall job satisfaction, but it also elevates employee longevity and job performance.
At RLF, this insight guides how we think about building our own workplace. Spread across Greensboro, Raleigh and Charlotte with a hybrid schedule of two days working from home and three days in the office, our team stays intentional through weekly connection calls, scheduled office-wide in-person meetings, a mentor program, and team holiday parties and socials.
What’s more, our team consists of connections and partnerships that go way back–from previous jobs and internships to shared projects (see below).
We also take the concept of nurturing strong and lasting relationships seriously when it comes to our clients. Take Biscuitville, who we’ve partnered with in two different stints dating back to 2015; CNL Financial Group, who we’ve assisted with corporate communications since day one of the agency opening in 2007, and Wendell Falls, who our team members have seen go from concept to near completion over the last decade.
Want to work with a PR partner that prioritizes its clients as more than a client, but rather a team? Shoot us an email at monty@rlfcommunications.com.
RLF Relationships in Action
Mid-1980s: CEO/Founder Monty Hagler and Chief Strategy Officer Billy Warden first crossed paths at UNC-Chapel Hill, with the two squaring off ahead of graduation to compete for the Mangum Medal.
Early 1990s: Vice President Agnes Stevens and Monty Hagler worked together for First Union’s Corporate Communications department. Agnes later joined Monty at Capstrat, and then frequently partnered with Monty for various projects when she had her own communications consulting business.
1990s: Billy and Monty reconnect in LA; where Billy worked in Hollywood and Monty visited on business for the NC Film Council or UNC Chapel Hill Communication Studies Advisory Board.
1990s: Senior Communications Manager George Farthing and Monty worked together during the early days of Capstrat – and Monty was a groomsman in George’s wedding. They stayed in touch even after George left to pursue another opportunity.
Mid-2000s: Billy and Monty work together at Capstrat.
Mid-2000s: Chair Dana Phelps and Monty first met when competing against each other for a client account (neither of them won it!) and then through professional development organizations such as PRSA’s Counselors Academy. When Dana was considering starting her own agency (Clairemont Communications), Monty was a big supporter of her taking the plunge.
Mid-2000s: Vice President Donnie Turlington and Monty worked on multiple projects together when Donnie handled communications for the City of Greensboro. They stayed in touch over the subsequent years, supporting each other whenever needed.
2004: Strategy Director Will Spivey helped recruit Monty to leave Capstrat and join Trone.
2007: When Monty left Trone to start his own agency (RLF!) his friendship with Will was one of the best things he took with him.
Beyond Monty’s relationships spanning 20+ years, here’s a few more RLFers who have stayed in touch!
Senior Communications Manager Jamie Jones and Communications Manager Anna Beth Adcock are former journalists who received an RLF pitch or two before joining the team.
2020: Communications Manager Anna Beth Adcock interned for Chair Dana Phelps at her PR firm, Clairemont Communications.
2023: Vice President Marston Waldo and Senior Communications Manager Hannah Allison joined RLF together due to RLF’s acquisition of Baering.
By: Anna Beth Adcock
