Office bromances improve morale, increase job satisfaction, boost the bottom line and enhance careers. So go ahead and cultivate one today. My husband has a boyfriend. No, my husband is not gay, but he is involved in a “bromance.” A bromance, for those of you unfamiliar with such “bromantic” comedies as I Love You Man, Wedding Crashers and anything else in the esteemed Paul-Rudd-Vince-Vaughan-Owen-Wilson canon, is a close platonic relationship between two heterosexual males, according to CNN, the obvious authority on such matters. I recently realized my husband was involved in a bromance with a co-worker, after years of hearing my spouse mention this co-worker in conversation. For a while, it seemed like Chris Champine (pronounced sham-pine) was all my husband talked about. It was ‘Chris-Champine-this’ and ‘Chris-Champine-that.’ It was… “I’m going into work early today to meet Chris Champine for breakfast.” “Chris Champine is a really talented artist.” “Chris Champine and I are working on a script.” “We should have Chris Champine and his wife over for dinner.” Chris Champine. Interesting how close this guy’s name is to the word champagne. How romantic! As dubious and snarky as I may sound about my husband’s relationship with Chris (pictured above, at left), I’m actually grateful for it: Chris gives Eric (my husband, in the ball cap, above) another reason to look forward to work. Chris Champine offers a break in my husband’s hectic workday. Chris Champine is a vent, a confidant, and with his film noir looks, a partner in crime. They commiserate with one another and support each other’s creative pursuits. (Eric is a writer.) If Chris and Eric’s experience is any indication, bromances are clearly good for workplace morale. Bromances improve job satisfaction. Bromances make male employees happier and more productive. I would even venture to bet that bromances can boost the bottom line. And that’s why I believe corporations should actively encourage office bromances. They can do so through mentoring programs, corporate softball teams, company outings to sporting events and tours of micro-breweries. Let a thousand flowers bloom! Still not sold on the value of office bromances? Well, improved morale isn’t the only benefit. Office bromances can also play a critical role in career development. A genuine bromance with the boss, for example, could pave the way for a promotion, distinguish your political power inside your organization, or give you more leverage in salary or budget negotiations. So strike up an office bromance today! Who will be your Chris Champine? Related content opinion Career Advice: Parting Words By Meridith Levinson Apr 11, 2012 2 mins Careers opinion IT Salaries: 10 Cities Where IT Professionals Earn the Most IT staffing firm CyberCoders recently released its ranking of the 10 cities where IT salaries are highest. CIO.com compares this latest salary data with IT salary surveys from other sources. By Meridith Levinson Apr 03, 2012 3 mins Salaries IT Jobs Careers opinion How Project Managers Can Negotiate Higher Salaries The Project Management Institute's latest salary survey is chockfull of specific, reliable data that project managers can use to negotiate higher salaries. Here's an example of how they might use the data in their own salary negotiations. By Meridith Levinson Mar 21, 2012 3 mins Salaries Project Management Tools Careers opinion Why IT Managers Need to Address Skills Shortages in Their Organizations IT managers know that skills shortages in their organizations negatively impact business operations, yet—due to budget and time constraints—they do little to address IT skills gaps. Is there any way to fix this problem? By Meridith Levinson Mar 16, 2012 3 mins IT Skills Careers IT Leadership Podcasts Videos Resources Events SUBSCRIBE TO OUR NEWSLETTER From our editors straight to your inbox Get started by entering your email address below. Please enter a valid email address Subscribe