Being Besties with the Boss

Last week a webinar attendee submitted the following question on the subject of critical conversations: “What’s the best way to approach your boss regarding the way they go back and forth between being your “Director” and being your “Buddy”…When they constantly go between being besties and then letting you know that the two of you are really not friends, but it’s a business relationship?”

Figuring out where to draw the line when it comes to boundaries with our teammates or our boss can be tricky, and every leader has different standards. Some are “all business,” and avoid developing any sort of relationships with their direct reports. Other leaders reside at the opposite end of the spectrum where they grant their buddies special privileges or refrain from holding their bestie to the same high standard as other teammates. (more…)