A Friendly Work Arrangement
A friend called one day and asked if I was interested in working for him. Sound familiar? We are often excited about work opportunities we find and want to get our friends involved as well. Studies have shown that when friends work together at a company, their work is more efficient and better. However, working for a friend is an entirely different dynamic than working with a friend. When you friend is also your boss, it adds a whole different dynamic to your relationship. To help you decide if it is worth working for a friend, here is some advice.
First, if your relationship with your friend isn't a strong one, don't do it. If your friend is your boss he or she is facing pressures and stress that can have a significant impact on your relationship. Staying friends rather than just being in business together takes more effort. Having your friend as your authority figure at work can add a dimension of respect into your relationship, but it can also chafe to have a friend tell you what to do. A strong relationship between friends can overcome obstacles of a boss/friend relationship, but a friendship that is just so-so will crumble under the pressure.
