CHAPTER 19

When Your Best Friend Becomes Your Boss

Balancing the Professional and the Personal

The two of you started working for the company at about the same time, learning the ropes and navigating the stormy seas of corporate politics. You shared each other’s frustrations and victories and, over time, your professional relationship turned into a close friendship. You know each other’s families, frequently visit in each other’s homes, and have even taken an occasional vacation together.

This morning, you sat in a department meeting as the company CEO announced your friend’s promotion to department head. Now, in addition to being your friend, she’s also your manager.

It’s not just the office romance that can create a sticky situation in the ...

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