I have a couple of great buddies at work. Recently I got promoted so now I'm their boss.?

Question

It's tricky getting them to work for me. Sometimes they don't even take me seriously. I don't wanna lose my friends, I also wanna be a good manager. Anyone else face anything like this? any pointers?

Answer 1

Try positive re-inforcement. It always works better anyways. If not, maybe casually mention that another boss is over you so by not working they are hurting you.....If all else fails, simply have a talk with them and explain the situation. And whatever you do, make sure they see you working and working harder than they are)!!! I once worked for boss that came late, left early, stole company money, goofed off all the time, etc....I rarely put forth any effort into that job. Being a leader means working harder than those you lead and setting a good example. If you arelady are, then yeah go for the pep talk.

Answer 2

Yep.. right now infact. When it comes down to the wire... not only do you want to be a good manager, but I am sure you would like a job too.

What I have done is I sat with them individually and explained that I needed what happened at work to stay at work. I needed them to be able to separate the two. If they cannot do that... then you have to make a choice... buddies or a pay check. I had to fire my best friend. Even though it hurt me to do it, I also know that if I covered for her it would come to bite me in the back... as it is very important to be fair and equal across the board. Another thing to look at.. is you are no longer working with them, they are working for you. You now work for someone else, and if they cannot work for you and you cover for them you are making your job harder and more stressful than it should be. You can be buddies after work... draw the line and stick to your guns. Your boss is WATCHING you believe me. How you handle this and if you can get this team working for you will spell out a lot about your abilities to handle a team of people. Good Luck.

Answer 3

Having been in this situation myself I can only tell you that you will have to lay it on the line- the next time you have to assign a task, tell the person that needs to do the job to do it, and when they blow you off, report them (or whatever action is in place for discipline measures) and tell them that you are sorry that you had to do it, but since they are taking unfair advantage of the friendship between you, you have no choice but to become a hard *ss about work- you have a responsibilty which you take seriously, and if they are going to behave so poorly, you have no choice but to do what you have to do- you'd rather maintain the friendship, but since their behavior is making that impossible, at work, the job comes first.
(and if they suprise you and do the job properly and on time, be a good friend and buy 'em lunch- and let them know you appreciate them taking you seriously- and write 'em up for work well done if they keep it up)

Answer 4

When i was 18 i became a CSM. Everyone who was under me was way older than me. And you guessed it: they did not want to listen to me. So at first i tried being all buddy, buddy. But i soon realized that was not the approach that i needed to take. I explained that 'on the clock i am your boss and i expect you to take me seriously and off the clock you can say whatever you want to me.' When we were working Some of the workers started to respect me more because i didnt play around with them like i used to and i took serious action to those who did not want to do what i told them. So explain to them that you are their Boss and their friend. But when you'll are clocked in; you're their Boss.

Answer 5

Make a line; a boundary. Sit it out with them over a friendly cup of coffee or lunch. Explain something like, you have some responsibilities now. Some things that will hold you accountable if you dont act responsibly and accordingly. And so, say things like, we have to be in a team with this.They'd feel better if you dont rub it in too much that you're they're boss now. Of course they know that. But making them feel like you are depending on them rather than they are just a way to make your job easier i.e. slaves, makes them feel necessary, responsible and un-complacent. Put it in all seriousness. But dont make your speech too long. Serious but short. Then ask them out for a friday night beer.

Answer 6

Be serious when you give them some work to do..let them know that may be u r their best buddy outside office but when it comes to work you are their boss and you want the work done like any other boss...

Answer 7

If they r ur true friends, they'll understand and co-operate with u, so speak to them formally or informally raising your concern however don't forget that it is always a teamwork which suceeds and let your subordinates never forget that the boss has the last word, all the best!!

Answer 8

it's simple! be professional! You're the manager and you mean business..don't think that they are your friends and you can't be strict with them..if you will never behave like a boss then they'll take you for granted forever..and you don't want that..be a good manager by telling them what they have to do..be a good friend and clear things..tell them to be professional..good luck!

Answer 9

yes that happened to me. it didn't go over well because my so called friends tried to get me fired and told head office lies about me and did get me fired. I could not prove any different. now the place has cameras. my problems all started when my so called friend opened my paycheck without my permission or knowledge and read that the amount of tax that i had taken off was more than her paycheck. all of a sudden my job was very sought after.

Answer 10

Take them to your locale watering hole and fill them up with jack Daniels, then take them out back and take out your sawed-off shot gun, then give them the spiel about who's boss and who's running the show, problem solved! they will realize your serious and if their really your friends nothing will change, otherwise resign because you are a joke!