Why your boss cannot be your friend, from a workplace coach

As employees, we may like our bosses, admire and respect them, and even consider them friends. But according to a workplace coach, that’s exactly the problem: bosses cannot be our friends.

Why did this topic catch my attention? Well, who hasn’t been in the situation where you get invited for after-work drinks by your boss, and you don’t know whether to accept or politely decline? This is precisely the kind of situation where it’s important to understand why bosses cannot be friends in the traditional sense.

First of all, friendship is a two-way street. In a boss-employee relationship, there is always going to be a power dynamic that gets in the way of genuine friendship. Bosses have to make tough decisions, like firing or demoting employees, and it’s hard to do that to someone who you see as a friend.

Furthermore, building friendships can create perceptions of unfairness within the workplace. Employees may start to think that the boss is favoring their friends, and that can foster resentment and erode trust.

That being said, a good boss should aim to build good relationships with their employees, and there are ways to do that in a professional and appropriate manner. For example, they can show interest in their employees’ lives outside of work, or express empathy and support when they’re going through tough times.

In conclusion, while having a friendly boss is appealing, it’s important to understand the limitations of the boss-employee relationship. Trying to force a friendship can ultimately lead to misunderstandings, hurt feelings, and even negative impacts on the business. The key is to strike a balance between being friendly and being professional.