Do you have lots of friends at work...or is it all Business?

I have a few good friends at work and I like making friends there even though I get along with older people more then teenagers because I guess I can relate to them more I dont know but I like having friends there because the day goes by a lot faster when you can talk to someone there and it makes it more fun to.

I have worked as a manager in both a small (smaller than 40) and larger (over 150) companies. While the former did present the chance to make friends, I have always approached my work with the caution that having friends can muddy the water. I say that in the context of having to make things happen. Doing management work includes making difficult decisions and in that friendships can affect your ability to be fair and just. It is not wise to appear showing favour to one person. Furthermore, the higher up you are, the more dangerous that becomes. Being a leader, a good leader, requires a certain amount of sacrifice. If the friendships are important (assuming there are existing ones) then it is imperative to shift yourself in such a way that you don't deal directly with them. Keep your informal interactions after work and ONLY after work. I apply that approach very clearly and without adjustment to people who work under me and it has proven to be the right course of action. Any manager that attests to using the emotional weight of a friendship to justify and close business decisions is not acting in good conscious is asking for trouble. Those decisions should be based on the evidence and potential of the business decision, nothing less.

I am sad actually that I am not making so mnay friends here in my current job, I don't know why..It's not that I am not friendly but I don't have much time to spend with them after office hours, but we maintain good relationship though, and I managed to become one good friend to somebody here,the person nearest my table..amd we share a lot of things. But back in my old work, it seems everyone is my friend and I have found my 3 closest friend untill now.

I am just a peon in my BIG company!!!! LOL. I have TONS of friends!!! HEHE! We have one manager, assistant manager...that is STRICTLY BUISNESS......LOL. He dont like horsing around, talking, no long breaks, NOTHING NOBODY likes him either, LOL. ANYWAYS....most of the assistant managers are cool and hang and talk with us...It seems that they get more respect this way!

I am right at the bottom of the food chain in my work place as I am new and just starting out in my career. But yea, I do get along swell with almost everyone. One of them treats me like a son so it kindda takes the stress off the daily toll that work tends to bestow on you.

I agree with what Jennybianca said that what you can do as a boss is to be fair, but in control.

I don't work full time anymore. But I did work full time teaching for 22 years. I understand the issue you are referring to. Occasionally I had promotion positions in the Education Department. I found it quite hard to be friends with my Principals. There were a couple I had good friendships with, but as I don't respond well to power & authority figures, they were more bosses to me that I tried to maintain working relationships with. I think all you can do as a boss, is to be fair, but in control.

I do have lots of friends in my workplace. And some friends I gained in the other companies that I've worked for. It's a good thing we were able to turn it into a really friendly relationship so now at least we still find time to keep in touch. There are others who I haven't seen since I left. I guess they are really just work friends. I do understand how you feel regarding your position. It's really hard to gain friends when they see you as your boss.

Yes, I have several people at work that I would comsider my friends. In all honesty, I can't think of anyone there that I don't like, but there are at least 10, that I would consider friends.

That's true...for me I always treat my friend same as before at work, since we have the same job so no problem at all.

Hello there golfproo. :) I am currently "working"(I'm a Graduate Teaching Assistant) in a university. I do not have too many friends, but I get along with most of the people who I work with. Our department chairperson is very friendly, but she also makes it a point that everyone is doing their job accordingly. She is kind of strict when it comes to getting a job done, and we respect and appreciate her for that. I don't know how she does it, she's strict but also gentle. :). I hope you can be friends with the people that you work with, and at the same time being respected as their boss. God bless you with strong leadership and a gentle and kind heart. :)