JUST BECAUSE YOUR COLLEAGUE IS A CLOSE FRIEND DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO TREAT HIM/HER DIFFERENTLY. LEARN TO DRAW THE LINE BETWEEN PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL RELATIONSHIP...................
Usha Sriram, an art director with an ad agency was thrilled. Her best friend from college, Natasha had joined the same company and was in the same creative team with Usha. As day went by Usha realised that Natasha hadn't changed a bit since college - a procrastinator who never met deadlines and always left her dirty linen for Usha to wash. Soon she received flack from her boss and other co-workers as she was covering up for Natasha.
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A good friend is not necessarily a great colleague. So, whether you are working with an old friend or happened to become good pals with a colleague, always draw a line between your professional and personal relationship. Don't know how to? Follow these simple guidelines.....
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* SEGREGATE: Make it clear that inside the office you are only colleagues and being professional is a must. That means no covering up for each other, being overtly friendly or taking sides. Treat him/her like you would treat any other co-worker - be cordial, share light moments, have lunch, point out any wrong doings etc.
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* USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE...: "No body knows me like Kiran and vice versa. He has been my neighbour and friend since my childhood and today he is my boss. The one thing he can't stand is lies. You tell him that you won't be coming to work today because you are taking your wife out, he'll be cool about it and even recommend some good sports. But if you lie to him saying that you are sick and that's why you're not coming to work you're finished. So I always make sure I tell him the complete truth - even if it's absurd." says Vinod Kumar, an architect. You know your friend's character well and will be able to predict how he will react to which situation. Use that to your advantage and act accordingly in the office.
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* NEVER START DOING HIS/HER WORK....: Helping a friend at work is fine, but doing his work is not good - both for him and you. He will never grow professionally and you will get overworked. Says Geetha Das, a computer programmer, "Reena and I din't know each other before but we became very close after we joined the same company. She got engaged a few months back and would leave early in the evening to meet her fiance.
....... Initially I used to finish up her work as she would leave early. But slowly she started dumping more and more work on me. Now I'am getting agitated as I feel I am being taken for granted."
***
* LEAVE YOU EGO AT HOME...: Take professional feedback and tips from your friend the same way you would take from any other colleague or even a senior. Take it seriously and change your work etiquette accordingly. Don't let your ego get in the way.
Usha Sriram, an art director with an ad agency was thrilled. Her best friend from college, Natasha had joined the same company and was in the same creative team with Usha. As day went by Usha realised that Natasha hadn't changed a bit since college - a procrastinator who never met deadlines and always left her dirty linen for Usha to wash. Soon she received flack from her boss and other co-workers as she was covering up for Natasha.
***
A good friend is not necessarily a great colleague. So, whether you are working with an old friend or happened to become good pals with a colleague, always draw a line between your professional and personal relationship. Don't know how to? Follow these simple guidelines.....
***
* SEGREGATE: Make it clear that inside the office you are only colleagues and being professional is a must. That means no covering up for each other, being overtly friendly or taking sides. Treat him/her like you would treat any other co-worker - be cordial, share light moments, have lunch, point out any wrong doings etc.
***
* USE IT TO YOUR ADVANTAGE...: "No body knows me like Kiran and vice versa. He has been my neighbour and friend since my childhood and today he is my boss. The one thing he can't stand is lies. You tell him that you won't be coming to work today because you are taking your wife out, he'll be cool about it and even recommend some good sports. But if you lie to him saying that you are sick and that's why you're not coming to work you're finished. So I always make sure I tell him the complete truth - even if it's absurd." says Vinod Kumar, an architect. You know your friend's character well and will be able to predict how he will react to which situation. Use that to your advantage and act accordingly in the office.
***
* NEVER START DOING HIS/HER WORK....: Helping a friend at work is fine, but doing his work is not good - both for him and you. He will never grow professionally and you will get overworked. Says Geetha Das, a computer programmer, "Reena and I din't know each other before but we became very close after we joined the same company. She got engaged a few months back and would leave early in the evening to meet her fiance.
....... Initially I used to finish up her work as she would leave early. But slowly she started dumping more and more work on me. Now I'am getting agitated as I feel I am being taken for granted."
***
* LEAVE YOU EGO AT HOME...: Take professional feedback and tips from your friend the same way you would take from any other colleague or even a senior. Take it seriously and change your work etiquette accordingly. Don't let your ego get in the way.
