When a boss becomes a friend. Who is appreciative or entitled? The Boss or Employee?

All bosses want to be well liked by their subordinates, they want to establish rules and be respected by all. However, how can it be done without crossing the line? Are you a friend with rules or a friendly boss?

Loyalty over work ethics is what sometimes makes a good employee. Many bosses, even with their “inside the box” mentality will be more lenient because they are getting all the loyalty they need and trust they want.   I am not talking about unethical activities; I am talking about extra personal duties, support system, taking over and go beyond the call of duty etc. In essence the employee becomes family, part of their inner circle. Is included in the team.

Yet, when push comes to shove, how loyal and appreciative are the employees?  A common personal trait among most of us, is “me first” regardless of the circumstances, facts or consequences.  Will an employee appreciate all the perks, bonuses of the inner circle or will they be deserving and entitled when things go wrong?  Unfortunately most of the times, it can be the latter, and that can be a very unsettling situation for both parties. 

Becoming a leader/boss and a “friend” can be hard especially if you are self-employed. People do not realized that besides learning how to delegate and manage, you are trusting your nest egg on the people you hire. If you are in a corporate setting, your professional well-being and reputation depends on the people you hire as well. Good judgment is a key element in both setting.  In order to keep any establishment afloat, rules and regulations have to be set with a code of behavior yet with a good relax environment. 

Bosses are real people too. Real people with dilemmas, issues and stress and just because they are higher up in the hierarchy they are not immune to any hardships. Does an employee ever understand that? Or they become resentful because they do not have all the benefits they “perceive” the others might have.  Trust me, like all relationships; friends, lovers, spouses, a boss and employee´s relation is unique as well. Some are great, some are sweet and sour, others short and sweet, or even “ever lasting love”. Yet, what is the true recipe to avoid betrayal, deception or even loyalty without sacrifying good work? There is none. However, at the end of a day good management comes with rules, demands and teamwork.  Sometimes in order to acquire this, boundaries cannot be broken. We all stride for a great working environment in our establishment.  If things do not go your way, don´t blame others without first looking at the incidents.  As any relationship, deception is taken very hard. A person puts their personal and professional trust in someone else; with the same token no good boss will ever take negative advantage of their position, knowledge or power in order to acquire good expertise.

Remember you are not better than anybody, nor anybody is better than you. Just different.  Respect is earned, trust is valued and knowledge is learned.  Appreciation is key.

We welcome your comments, experiences or opinions.