Is Boss Another Word For Friend? Why You Should Get Along With Those You Work With

On average, we spend 38 hours a week with the same person. This is the person who sees us looking pristine at the beginning of each day and wiping the sweat beads off our neck come five o'clock. He or she has most likely seen you laugh, cry and have a brief mental breakdown at some point in your life.

This is the same person with whom we drink countless cups of coffee, eat on the run, share inside jokes and collaborate on projects; it's the only person who consistently gets to spend 8 hours with us on a daily basis.

This person will be present at your next promotion, your next important function and probably drinking champagne with you at your wedding, too. It’s not your mother; it’s not your best friend, and unfortunately, it’s not your significant other. It’s your boss.

So, why should the person who takes up a frighteningly large amount of your time matter to you?

The Paycheck

It’s no longer Mom and Dad putting bread on the table or paying for that oversized gas bill, and while an occupation works on quid pro quo, if it weren't for your boss, you might have a little trouble paying for more than that new suit. 

The Friendship

Monday’s conversation went a little along the lines of:

"So, 'Fifty Shades of Grey' comes out next year, and guess who I’ll be dragging along to the cinema to share a bottle of wine and cheese platter with?"

My boss pulled her long, blonde curls over one shoulder and cheekily replied, “Me?”

You never know how large a role your boss will play in your life, and while the lines between professionalism and friendship shouldn’t blur too much in the workplace, this is an inevitable grey area.

If you like someone as a person, it doesn’t matter if he or she is above you in the social or professional hierarchy; conversing and spending time with him or her will feel effortless.

The Satisfaction

Going to work isn’t fun, and well, 50 percent of the time, it isn’t designed to be, anyway. It’s a long commute away from a warm bed, and in order to be successful, you’ll have to inevitably leave your comfort zone behind.

You’ll have your days where life is so productive, you won’t even notice the time passing. Other days, you may be watching the clock, already fantasizing about defrosting that enchilada from last night.

Nevertheless, if you’re friendly and social with the people you work with, they’ll most likely keep you happy and motivated enough to persevere through challenges.

The Peace of Mind

Wouldn’t it be nice to leave work every day knowing that despite whatever mood your boss is in, it won’t be a result of something you did? Humans aren’t perfect creatures, and we’re very much influenced by our own worlds. Some situations that don’t have to change is how we treat our colleagues in the workplace.

Whether it’s with kindness, empathy, formality or level-headed professionalism, keep your moods consistent around the people you need to work with and leave the drama for after you leave the building.

The Passion

You’re in your profession because you’re passionate about it, right? Well, at least I hope you are, and while the thought of being passionate about your fellow colleagues and boss is perhaps asking for too much, invest your time in these people.

Make an effort to build long-lasting rapports, possess admirable qualities, listen attentively and learn from those who have been where you stand. Continue to prosper, aim to meet every day with passion and purpose, and don’t be a sour puss toward the same person you were so adamant on convincing to hire you.

Your boss something important and enigmatic in you, after all.

Photo Courtesy: Paramount Pictures/Wolf of Wall Street