This is my dilemma in a small charitable organisation. Do I compromise the manager/worker relationship by being too friendly? Advice very much appreciated.
2007-06-30 06:06:05 · 12 answers · asked by Anonymous in Social Science ➔ Psychology
As far as friendships outside of the workplace go: It can work for some people and not others. I think it really depends on how you & your coworker/friends handle it. If you and they understand that your friendship outside of work cannot undermine your responsibilities at work, then it can work. The main responsiblity falls on you as a manager. You must be sure that at work, you are treating everyone fairly - not giving anyone preferential treatment because they are a friend, etc.
If you are referring to just having a friendly relationship with the people you manage at work (and not being friends with them outside of work), it depends on your management style. When I was a "worker bee", my manager was just rotten for the sake of being rotten. If you asked for a specific day off, she would purposely NOT give it to you just to prove her power. I always told myself that if I was ever in that position, I would not treat people that way. When I became a branch manager at the bank I worked for, I found that as long as nobody took advantage of it, it worked better for me to have a friendly relationship with everyone. Everyone knew that I would do my best to accomodate their needs, but that in return, the time would come to be flexible in order to help someone else. My staff was not "scared" of me, and as a result, I was able to spend more time with them one on one, developing their skills & getting them ready to move ahead in their careers.
2007-06-30 06:20:15 · answer #1 · answered by Quarter Midget Mom 5 · 2⤊ 1⤋
If everyone is a volunteer (not paid for their time/services) the same rules don't apply as for paid employees. In the work place, there are supervisor relationships and co-worker relationships. A supervisor, nor a coworker, can ever be a true friend. In volunteer situations, with a paid manager, the manager is, of course, answerable for the final product, but will never have volunteers if the volunteers are treated like paid employees. In volunteer situations, it is nice if people are friends and want to help each other, there is not the problem of trying to get a promotion.
2007-06-30 13:15:58 · answer #2 · answered by lollipop 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As a Manager in the past. I found it to be worthwhile to have a good friendship with employee's. They must also maintain respect for you at the same time. You can reward them for their achievements with a bonus or a token gift for being the most productive employee. This I Have found will motivate them and they will love you for it. They will always work their hardest and be happy with their job and you. Just don't get to much into their personal life nor let them get into yours as there has to be a fine line somewhere in order for them to have respect for you as the Manager.
2007-06-30 13:21:15 · answer #3 · answered by Tinkerbell 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
I'm a Manager in a hotel. I think you can be friendly with employees, but if you are like..hanging out and going out say, drinking with employees people might start to think you play favorites.
That said, however I still believe that your employees will work better if you have a good friendship with them.
2007-06-30 13:16:35 · answer #4 · answered by Melissa C 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You will have to maintain a professional distance. Underlings might not mean to use the relationship but inevitably when you try and be "managerial" to a "friend" there will be resentment on one or both sides. It's impossible to be an effective manager when you are out drinking with your coworkers every night or know all of their business and they know yours.
2007-06-30 13:12:16 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
What you need to think about is "are the needs of the company being met?"- really, you have to use the policies and procedures to guide you in the workplace. Authoritative (firm but fair) stance will garner you the most respect. For example, if your agency doesn't allow people leaving early, comping hours, etc., you should use that to guide you instead of your 'friend' instincts...
I moved from a position among my peers to a supervisory one a while ago, fortunately, they had enough respect not to walk on me.
2007-06-30 13:12:44 · answer #6 · answered by Schmeep 4 · 2⤊ 1⤋
I've done this, and personally I think it can be done. As long as both people involved are able to understand the strict line when they are at work. My best friend used to be my manager, I NEVER asked her for special treatment and she NEVER gave it to me! Work was work, plain and simple. We kept our relationship out of the work place.
2007-06-30 17:13:21 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
It's possible, as long as both your co-workers and yourself come to the understanding that at work it's business, NEVER personal....outside of work I don't see a problem with being friends with co-workers.
2007-06-30 13:22:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
i hang with upper management all the time! they are cool dudes. i don't like them at work per say but that is because we have different view points of the project we are working on. As long as you know how to turn it on and off in and outside the office. if you act like their boss away from work then no. and if you act like a friend in the office then again no.
2007-06-30 14:11:50 · answer #9 · answered by redjedi182 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
u don't have to be TOO friendly, but also don't treat them like u r higher than them.
I think the manager should be amiable, and friendly in a moderate way..
2007-06-30 13:57:42 · answer #10 · answered by black fox 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋