When a work friend becomes your boss

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

It 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 - and effectively, that doesn’t mean they no longer value your friendship - just that they must navigate their role.

Rather than resisting the shift, embrace it. Keep things professional in the workplace and help make their transition smoother. If they make mistakes (and they will), be patient. Adjusting to leadership is a learning curve, and you can help them succeed by being adaptable and solution-oriented rather than critical or resentful.

Offer honesty