AV1 - About Power and leadership. My Best Friend Is My Boss

My Best Friend Is My Boss
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By Troy on Mar-6-08 7:01am
From: sftsklz.blogspot.com
"When dealing with Lords, be careful in your play."

---Chaucer

You've seen it happen hundreds of times---toadies kissing up to the boss with 'playful' banter, witty remarks, irreverent sarcasm, off-color jokes and even slapstick humor. Its painful to watch, but like moths to flames, when we have a chance to get in on the 'fun' we can hardly retain ourselves, let alone walk away.

Everyone's up for a good laugh or a joke, and when the boss is involved, it just seems like a golden opportunity to score a few points in the categories of: "Like me, I'm a funny guy" or "I can relate to you better than Jones, so promote me first" or "Please let me into your inner-circle, I desperately need your approval." That's when the situation goes from having fun to being pathetic.

What many people forget is that the majority of bosses, while open for a good chuckle with the rank and file, still want to be respected and treated as an authority figure.

Here's a few real life examples of how crossing the boss/friend line isn't the most brilliant way to propel your career:

1) John knew his boss was a big basketball fan---they talked about it for years. So one day, he invited his boss to 'meet him in LA for the PAC 10 Tournament'. His boss declined the offer and for some strange reason, they never talked about basketball--ever again!

2) Lester was new on the job and he thought he had a good relationship with his boss because they would toss around witty banter and have a few laughs together. Lester thought his boss had a good sense of humor until one afternoon. When out at lunch, Lester saw a novelty sign hanging in a store window which read, "Beware attack boss!" He thought it was a perfect gag gift because he was joking with his boss about how everyone thought he was so mean, but in Lester's mind, he was a teddy-bear. So, Lester purchased the sign, and hung it in his boss's cubicle so everyone could see it. When his boss returned to the office, his reaction to the sign was: "What the F**K is this?! Who did this!!! This S**T isn't funny!!" Then he tore it to pieces and threw it on the floor. Everyone knew Lester did it, but they had mercy on him and never ratted him out. Lester never crossed the line with his boss again!

3) Timmy was a new employee and he thought it would be nice to invite everyone at work to his apartment complex for a pool party. He had steaks, beers, water volleyball and lots of good tunes ready to go. A few colleagues committed to attending, and at that point, Timmy thought it would be a nice gesture to invite his boss. When he asked him to attend the weekend shindig, the look on his boss's face was of horror and disgust. Timmy crossed the line. Apparently, SHE wasn't too thrilled by the gesture---she thought he was a pervert trying to get a cheap thrill so she took his invite as a sexual advance and sent him to 3 weeks sensitivity training!

4) George was a fast food middle manager and his boss was an old curmudgeon, battle scarred and weary from a long career in fast food. George's boss was a man's man and since they both worked the late nite/closing shift, they were able to 'get away' with things that most professionals wouldn't. For example, they smoked 'weed' in the walk-in freezer. In the back storage area, they used to play floor hockey with brooms and dead mice. While making food in the kitchen, they would sing X-rated limericks in front of female co-workers. They were goof-offs but they were entertaining to the rest of the employees, so nobody made a big deal about their antics; until the owner dropped in one night and saw George and his boss in the dining area having sword fights with toilet plungers! They were both fired on the spot.

Maintain a healthy relationship with your boss by having a good sense of humor that is appropriate and light hearted. Never cross the personal life boundaries and never make your boss the target of practical jokes in front of others. Never use your 'chummy' behavior as a way to get promoted. And never, ever get into a sword fight with dirty toilet plungers!!