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Yes, that’s correct your boss is not your friend. Even if you get along well with your boss, limits are necessary in the office.
My manager, who has been with the company for thirteen years, will meet with the staff every two weeks. He has the power to call meetings at random whenever he wants. Introduce the new hires, go over the responsibilities they will be responsible for, and let them know we are here to help with whatever they might require.
After a few weeks on the job, I came to the conclusion that these meetings were more about him than the work. In the first quarter of the meeting hour, he would comment on how well or poorly we were doing. There’s nothing wrong there. After that, he’ll start bragging about how any actions he takes will be supported by his direct manager, his boss.
No question asked.
There is nothing wrong with venting about your professional accomplishments. In actuality, this should be promoted much more. You never know who you might be able to influence.
Yet, seeming to be untouchable because you think your boss is your friend is a trap.
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Don’t get it twisted
Individuals fall prey to the temptation of thinking that because they get along well with their bosses, they won’t get fired. What makes you the boss’ friend—managing a team, eating a few pizza slices at the boss’ table, or your word over mine?
Nope. Your boss is not a friend.
You’re going to be stunned and take it personally the first time your boss makes a choice you feel they shouldn’t have made.
My then-manager experienced exactly that. He would always give the impression that he was untouchable because his boss was always on his side. The boss, whom he frequently praised, was not there on the day when the decision to terminate him was made.
It’s possible that your boss and HR get along better than you think. Friendships don’t exist when business is involved.
Take all emotions out of the workplace.
I’ve seen folks who have so much talent pass up greater opportunities just to preserve a friendship. But, it can also be done the other way around. Imagine you got a better job as a result of your boss’s recommendation. That is, if your supervisor actually values you and considers you a friend; otherwise, why would they do it if you help them appear good?
I once served as the team leader for thirteen skilled technicians. We are like the best friends you could ask for outside of work. You name it, and we’ve done it, respectfully.
But I made it obvious to them at work that any decisions made must be in the company’s best interests, so we couldn’t mix friendship with professionalism. Everyone must act in a professional manner.
Some of my decisions weren’t ones I was comfortable with. I recall the day I had to let go of one of my technicians—not because I personally wanted to, but because we were aware of the struggles he was facing on a personal level.
Since it was ultimately just business, I had a responsibility to uphold the company’s policies.
Everyone has a price
No matter who it is, there’s always that one person waiting to rat you out or stab you in the back if it will help them progress their career. Many people assert that they adhere strictly to their moral standards and will never ruin a relationship or betray their friends until they discover how much it costs to get you to compromise.
I saw two amazing friends, John and Sam, who started together in the marketing department when I used to work for the media. “Best friends since high school,” they said. They get along so well that you would assume they are related directly to one another if not for their differences in appearance.
Three years later, the manager position was vacant. Both of them applied for the position. Sam had received an email inviting him to a second interview, but John had not. John noticed this. So he decided to turn on his friend, according to a credible source.
To cut a long story short, Sam was not chosen. John received a promotion to a similar position in a different division. It wasn’t until then that a member of the marketing team explained to Sam why he had been turned down for the job and provided evidence.
I think it was the last time anyone saw them together.
Bottom Line
Being friendly is perfectly acceptable. For instance, professionalism cannot exist without friendliness. However, understand you’re not paid to make friends; you’re paid for your time. As long you keep in mind your boss doesn’t owe you any loyalty, and you don’t owe him or her any either-you’ll be just fine.
Generally speaking, it is advisable to maintain a professional relationship with your employer. Put your attention on developing productive working relationships with coworkers based on respect, open communication, and shared goals.
Now, put your boot trap on and let’s go make some cash.
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