It’s good to have friends at work, but those relationships can get complicated. If you’ve been promoted above your friends, and people who used to be peers are now your direct reports, you might feel unsure of how to act toward them. You can reduce any strain on your friendships by being open and honest. Talk to your friends about the stresses and responsibilities of the new position. You may think that what you’re dealing with is obvious, but that’s probably not the case. Explain the tensions you feel between valuing your friends and, for example, having to evaluate them or assign them work. Discuss how to strike a balance, whether it’s avoiding work-related topics when you’re socializing or agreeing to keep each other in the loop (when you can) about what’s going on. You don’t have to lose your friends when you’re promoted — but you do need to be careful in how you interact.
Adapted from “Why Work Friendships Go Awry, and How to Prevent It,” by Art Markman
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