You may be thinking about being friends with your employees, but before you make any decisions, it’s good to understand the possible risks.
Friendship is a two-way street, and while being friends with your employees might seem like a good idea, in theory, in practice it can boomerang. Read on for reasons why being too friendly with your employees can backfire.
You may be taken advantage of
Your employees might start to feel like they can take advantage of the relationship, and they may not feel the need to work as hard because they know you’re not going to fire them. They may also start to rely on you too much, and when you eventually have to lay someone off, it would be devastating.
It can foster a false sense of trust
You might be tempted to think that if you’re mates with your team, they will be more likely to go the extra mile for you. But the thing is, if you cross that line and don’t maintain some boundaries, it can have the opposite effect.
What often happens is that a false sense of trust develops, and employees may feel like they can come to you with any problem or complaint, without consequence. And before you know it, you’ve got yourself a dysfunctional work environment where people are unhappy and not performing up to their potential.
So it’s better to maintain some distance and not be all buddy-buddy. That doesn’t mean you can’t be friendly, but make sure there’s a clear boundary between personal and professional relationships.
It can make you seem unprofessional
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After all, you’re the boss, and you need to maintain a certain level of authority. When you let your guard down and act like a friend, it can undermine your authority and erode your verbal credibility.
Another reason why being too friendly can backfire is that it can create an atmosphere of informality that can build up chaos. Employees may feel like they can cut corners and take liberties with you. And when that happens, everything goes down the tubes.
So be nice, but remember that you’re still the head of the company!
It can make setting boundaries difficult
Imagine you’re the boss. You’re sitting in your office, and your phone rings. You pick up, and it’s one of your employees, asking for an early, urgent leave for the 5th time in a month.
Now, imagine the same situation, but this time, you’re good friends with that employee. It’s a lot harder to say no, isn’t it? When you’re friends with someone, it’s much more challenging to set boundaries and be the disciplinarian.
And that’s why being too chummy with your employees can backfire. It can make it tricky for you to be the boss your team needs you to be. You might find yourself constantly saying yes to their requests, and that’s not good for everyone.
You may be perceived as playing favorites
Playing favorites (even if you think you’re not doing so) can create tension and resentment in the workplace, and make it tough for other employees to feel like they can approach you with their concerns. Others may feel like they’re being “left out” or that they’re not good enough to get into your good books.
So how do you strike the right balance? Well, first of all, make sure that you’re being fair and consistent in your treatment of all employees. Secondly, try to be less personal and more professional in your interactions with them. And finally, remember that it’s crucial to maintain some social distance so the lines are not blurred.
While it can be tempting to be friends with your employees, you must maintain a certain level of professionalism. Being too sociable can backfire in several ways. As mentioned earlier, it can blur the line between boss and employee, which can lead to confusion about who is in charge. It may also make some individuals feel uncomfortable, for fear of offending you. Ultimately, it’s good to note that being too friendly with your employees can lead to overall confusion, and is best avoided.