Should you have work friends?

If you have taken on a leadership role, should you be pally with your staff members? Of course, you want your peers to respect you and take you seriously within your organisation, but if you are seen to be joking around and taking part in the ‘office banter’ with colleagues you may lose credibility as a leader.

As a manager you need to ensure that you are maintaining a professional relationship at all times, however drawing the line between what is considered friendship and cordiality can be difficult to master.

Colleagues | Are workplace friendships a good idea?

When you’re the key decision-maker, you need to ensure that you can delegate appropriate tasks and challenges for each employees’ growth. However, you also need to care personally about each worker – this is why making friendships with staff members will likely cause difficulties within the workplace.

Caring personally means it’s your job to listen to people’s stories, to understand what makes them tick and motivates them, as well as to help them to achieve their very best. Meanwhile, it is also your job as a leader to set clear boundaries and goals to push them further, while also being able to provide constructive criticism, letting them know when their work isn’t up to scratch and on occasion firing someone.