What To Do When Your Friends Become Your Subordinates

You finally landed a coveted promotion, and you’ve earned it. You worked hard, you put in the extra time, and you took on the added responsibility. But now that your friends and the people who trained you are underneath you in the corporate hierarchy, how can you make a successful transition and salvage your relationships?

It’s possible that some of your friends were in competition with you to get the job. If you came out the winner and it’s clear that they resent you, don’t ignore the problem. Have a candid conversation to acknowledge the situation and say you’re going to work as hard as you can to change their mind about why you’re qualified. If you ignore it, the issue could fester and eventually blow up.

One of the most awkward aspects of being a friend’s boss is the issue of discipline. Pull friends aside and have a conversation about how you value their friendship, but within the walls of work you have a specific job to do. Don’t dole out special treatment and let friends get away with murder, but be careful not to be overly harsh in an attempt to prove that you don’t play favorites. Be considerate and respectful, and if discipline is necessary, do it with their best interest in mind.

Delegating is another tricky issue to handle. Instead of delegating the grunt work to get it off your plate, balance your delegations with things that would offer your workers a benefit, such as a new skill. Finance is an industry where learning new skills is increasingly important. Delegating to a friend should be easier because you already know their strengths and interests.

Finally, define your relationship with care. Don’t mix work with play. Within the office, you are the boss; conversations about weekend plans or matters that otherwise wouldn’t come up at work don’t belong. At home or in a social setting, it’s okay to be friends, but it’s not a great idea to discuss work then. While it may be tempting, don’t allow the lines between work life and personal life become blurred.

You may feel awkward in the transition, but it’s likely that your friends are supportive and are rooting for you. It’s good to have a boss you know well and respect, after all. Be confident, keep your head up, and prove you’re the best choice for the job.