When it comes to raising kids, it’s healthy to maintain an open relationship with them, but it’s also important for parents to remain authority figures. It’s a lot like being a boss. You’re tempted to become the manager everyone loves, but in doing so, you might sacrifice credibility. The key is finding a good balance between being friendly and authoritative. It isn’t an easy path to tread, since it just isn’t possible to please everyone.
“It’s okay to be friends with your subordinates. There are times that you can even leverage on your friendship to get the job done better,” says Iggy Alvarez, product manager at a leading pharmaceutical company. “But do make sure that a strong professional relationship has been established in the beginning.”
Check the slideshow below for 5 tips to heed when it comes to your relationship with your subordinates.
For more professional relationship tips , check out these galleries:
- One with the Team: How to Make Team-Building Sessions Work for You
- Office Outsider: 5 Ways You Could Be Missing Out on Team Bonding
- Keep Calm and Carry On: 5 Tips to Dealing with Tension in the Workplace
- Think Positive: Focus on Your Co-Workers' Good Traits for a Harmonious Workplace
(First published in the January 2008 issue of Marie Claire Philippines, You First section as "Chum or Chump?;" adapted for use in Female Network; photo by Victor1558 via Flickr Creative Commons)
