When a work friend becomes your boss

ONE day, you and your work “bestie” are grabbing coffee and venting about office drama. The next, they’re sitting across from you in a leadership meeting, setting deadlines and reviewing your performance. Awkward? Maybe. Double? Absolutely.

- ANJA VAN BEEK

If your friend has just been promoted to being your manager, it’s natural to feel a mix of emotions such as pride, uncertainty and maybe even jealousy. And while things will inevitably change, this transition doesn’t have to be weird or difficult. The key is to approach this shift with professionalism, self-awareness and some strategy.

Accept change

I would be tempting to pretend that nothing has changed, but the truth is that it has. Your friend now has new responsibilities, new pressures and likely a different perspective. They may need to create some professional distance to lead effectively. That doesn’t mean they no longer value your friendship – just that they must navigate a new role.

Rather than resisting the shift, embrace it. Keep things professional in the workplace and if your friendship is strong, it will naturally find a new rhythm outside of work.

Reset boundaries

If your friend and now new manager doesn’t initiate a conversation about the changes in work dynamic, take the lead. A simple, “Hey, I know this is a shift for both of us. I want to make sure we navigate it in a way that works well for you and the team,” can go a long way in setting a positive tone.