Should employees be friends?

Too many leaders confuse their staff for friends. Maybe it’s the long hours in close quarters, but an employee shouldn’t be a friend, nor should they see the boss as a pal. Confusing this dynamic causes all sorts of problems – questions about loyalty and favoritism – and the need to be treated as a friend. Friends on the job forever need to be cut a break, to take time off, to come in late, a new assignment, and a myriad of other considerations that it is not often possible to grant. By contrast, friends at home never seem to ask for such consideration, which, I suppose, is why I tend to keep them at home.

This isn't to say you shouldn't be friendly toward employees - everyone deserves fairness, dignity, and respect.

How do you deal with your work relationships?