April 2009  When your boss is also a friend I just started a new job and my boss is an old friend. I have no trouble accepting her role—I’m happy for her. But I know we will disagree sometimes and I want to handle it professionally. I’m also concerned that one of my coworkers may resent our relationship. Any advice? —B.W., Augusta, GA The good news is that people who have close friendships with their bosses are twice as likely to be satisfied with their jobs, according to research by the Gallup Organization and Tom Rath, author of Vital Friends: The People You Can’t Afford to Live Without. But the dynamics of maintaining a personal and professional relationship can also be challenging. Here are some suggestions: Figure it out. Every relationship is different. Talk to your boss/friend about the best ways to communicate any disagreements or misgivings about the way something is being done. Accept that you will not agree with everything your friend does in her position as your supervisor. You may even see a side of her that you never saw before and do not particularly like. Stay calm and be as objective and supportive as you can be. Focus on the work. Keep your eye on the end result. Do your job. Work hard—and you may even offer to do extra work to help out your friend. If she’s successful, you will be too. Don’t take advantage of your friendship, tempting as that may be from time to time. Separate your work and play. Try not to talk about what’s going on at work when you’re with each other away from the office—and don’t discuss your personal plans to get together around your coworkers.     Front Page Feature | Interchange | Research Review | Elder Issues | Parenting On the Job | We Recommend | A Healthy You | Home

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