HOW CLOSE SHOULD YOU BE TO YOUR BOSS?
Apr 21, 2009
OFFICE TALK<br><i>WHEN YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOSS GOES SOUR, THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED</i><br><br>WE all want to be on good terms with our supervisor. But Jackie has taken it to another level. She carries a snack
OFFICE TALK
WHEN YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOSS GOES SOUR, THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED
BY ANTHONY BUGEMBE
WE all want to be on good terms with our supervisor. But Jackie has taken it to another level. She carries a snack for her boss everyday and takes all the office gossip to her boss. Above all, she showers the boss with praises on her dressing style. In fact, when there are no customers to attend to, Jackie moves to her boss’ desk for a chat.
Yet career experts say this kind of relationship can be rewarding or painful.
Once in a while, Julius Kateega, a human resource trainer says, you can compliment, but not all the time. Often, it will annoy workmates especially if they feel threatened with the favours the boss is giving you.
So how close should we be to our bosses?
Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counsellor at Bank of Uganda, says the kind of relationship depends on the culture and boss of the workplace. She says in some places, sharing eats and experiences with your bosses is acceptable while in others it is not.
Drawing a line between you and your boss, therefore, follows no particular criteria.
In some places, the boss is like ‘one of us’. He or she could have been your friend before being promoted and so your friendship could not die.
“Bosses are people like us. Some actually want someone to confide in and that could be you. So when you draw that line, you are being unfair,†says Razia Nassuna, a clinical psychologist.
However, you should ensure your boss does not use the closeness to, for instance, exploit you sexually.
That is one of the reasons why some organisations do not tolerate intimate relationships among employees.
Being so close to your boss can lead to complacency. Besides, when your personal relationship with the boss goes sour, the professional relationship will be affected.
And what becomes of your productivity if you are spending much time in the boss’ office while your colleagues are busy at their desks? I am afraid this could bring you down faster than you realised.
If your friend is a boss, here are tips on how to go about it:
- Don’t dismiss your boss’ ideas
- Don’t be defensive when criticised
- Don’t get too comfortable
- Don’t be demanding. Being a friend makes you no different from other colleagues.
- Draw a line between professional and personal relationship. Avoid getting personal especially before colleagues
- Don’t blackmail colleagues
WHEN YOUR PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH THE BOSS GOES SOUR, THE PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP WILL ALSO BE AFFECTED
BY ANTHONY BUGEMBE
WE all want to be on good terms with our supervisor. But Jackie has taken it to another level. She carries a snack for her boss everyday and takes all the office gossip to her boss. Above all, she showers the boss with praises on her dressing style. In fact, when there are no customers to attend to, Jackie moves to her boss’ desk for a chat.
Yet career experts say this kind of relationship can be rewarding or painful.
Once in a while, Julius Kateega, a human resource trainer says, you can compliment, but not all the time. Often, it will annoy workmates especially if they feel threatened with the favours the boss is giving you.
So how close should we be to our bosses?
Ruth Ssenyonyi, a counsellor at Bank of Uganda, says the kind of relationship depends on the culture and boss of the workplace. She says in some places, sharing eats and experiences with your bosses is acceptable while in others it is not.
Drawing a line between you and your boss, therefore, follows no particular criteria.
In some places, the boss is like ‘one of us’. He or she could have been your friend before being promoted and so your friendship could not die.
“Bosses are people like us. Some actually want someone to confide in and that could be you. So when you draw that line, you are being unfair,†says Razia Nassuna, a clinical psychologist.
However, you should ensure your boss does not use the closeness to, for instance, exploit you sexually.
That is one of the reasons why some organisations do not tolerate intimate relationships among employees.
Being so close to your boss can lead to complacency. Besides, when your personal relationship with the boss goes sour, the professional relationship will be affected.
And what becomes of your productivity if you are spending much time in the boss’ office while your colleagues are busy at their desks? I am afraid this could bring you down faster than you realised.
If your friend is a boss, here are tips on how to go about it:
- Don’t dismiss your boss’ ideas
- Don’t be defensive when criticised
- Don’t get too comfortable
- Don’t be demanding. Being a friend makes you no different from other colleagues.
- Draw a line between professional and personal relationship. Avoid getting personal especially before colleagues
- Don’t blackmail colleagues