Leaders may be tempted to befriend their team members – especially if they have transitioned to being a supervisor and their employees used to be their peers. After all, most people can’t simply turn off a friendship as though it were a light switch.
Leader as Friend
In short, a leader can be a friend. It is possible for leaders to have close and meaningful relationships with those they lead. In fact, having a friendly relationship with those they lead can help leaders build trust, encourage open communication, and foster a positive work environment.
However, it’s important for leaders to maintain a balance between being a friend and being a leader. Leaders must ensure that their decisions and actions are fair and unbiased, and that they do not allow personal relationships to cloud their judgment. It’s also important for leaders to set clear boundaries and expectations for their relationships with their subordinates to avoid any potential conflicts of interest or favoritism.
Steps to Take
While it’s essential for leaders to maintain a professional relationship with their employees, it is possible to be friendly with them as well. Here are some tips for leaders to be friends with their employees while still maintaining a professional relationship:
Build trust: Trust is the foundation of any friendship. As a leader, you should build trust by being honest, transparent, and reliable. This will help your employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns with you.
Respect boundaries: While it is possible to be friendly with your employees, you should also respect their boundaries and vice versa. Avoid prying into their personal lives and avoid sharing too much about your own personal life.
Listen actively: Listening actively is an important part of any relationship. As a leader, you should listen carefully to your employees’ thoughts, concerns, and ideas. This will help you build a strong bond with them and show that you value their input.
Show appreciation: Showing appreciation is another key aspect of building a strong relationship. As a leader, you should recognize your employees’ hard work and accomplishments. This can be done through verbal praise, written notes, or other forms of formal recognition.
Be approachable: It is vital to be approachable as a leader. Make sure your employees feel comfortable coming to you with their concerns or questions. This can be achieved by maintaining an open-door policy, being responsive to emails and phone calls, and scheduling regular one-on-one meetings where team members feel safe to voice any ideas or concerns.
Maintain professionalism: Maintaining a professional relationship means avoiding gossip, refraining from favoritism, and following all company policies and procedures. Favoritism can affect productivity and build resentment amongst those not considered “friends” with leaders.
Building Relationships
Although there is a fine line between friendship and leadership, by following these tips, leaders can build strong friendships with their employees while still maintaining a professional relationship. This can lead to increased employee morale, improved communication, increased productivity, and better collaboration within the team. If you are looking to cultivate a more productive and friendlier workplace, schedule a Breakthrough Session where together we can create a plan to make that happen in your organization.