Don’t Try to be Friends with Your Boss

B2 – Upper Intermediate

When the majority of waking hours are spent at work, it’s natural to want to create stronger bonds and friendships with team members and management.

Many times, we think being friends with our bosses is the key to a great life at work.

However, even if you have a great relationship with your boss, boundaries are essential in the workplace.

Read the article to know more why workplace coaches advise against being friends with your boss.

https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/08/why-your-boss-cannot-be-your-friend-from-a-workplace-coach.html

Vocabulary Questions:

1. What does “pink slip” mean? “They might cry on the Zoom call with you, but they sure are going to hand you that pink slip.” Use it in a sentence.
2. What does “top-down” mean in this sentence, “Leaders in the workplace are accountable for results, including your performance and the performance of others. Top-down friendships can make these results seem biased– and many American workers agree.”? Use it in a sentence.
3. What does “to do right by someone” mean? “Where their desire to do right by you is going to conflict with their responsibility to their job.” Use it in a sentence.

Discussion Questions:

1. What are the predisposed troubles caused by having a cordial relationship with the boss?
2. Do you agree or disagree with this, “No matter how great of a relationship you have with your boss, it’s generally not the best idea to be friends with them.”? Share your thoughts.
3. Do you believe that a personal relationship can make things complicated when bosses may need to make difficult decisions? Explain.
4. Managers are responsible for performance reviews. Do you think top-down friendships can affect these results? Explain.
5. The foundation of your professional relationship with your boss has to be the performance and not interpersonal connection. Share your insights on this.
6. How can one establish boundaries at work? How do you maintain boundaries between you and your boss? Or if you are a manager, you and your team?
7. Talk about favoritism in the workplace.