page 3, Bosses 101: What makes someone a bad boss?
Friendly and likeable bosses can appear at first to be the “cool” boss. They often come across as a work buddy, more so than one in a leadership position. While this may seem like an ideal scenario for many people, there are distinct reasons why some bosses work this way.
For one, trying to be popular is often a sign of someone who lacks confidence. It can be deceptive because they’re so damn likeable but in truth, bosses who work too hard to gain respect from their subordinates ultimately end up losing it. A good boss should work to be respected, not liked because part of good management involves making tough decisions, which is often unpopular.
“I have seen what seemed like wonderful working relationships go sour over and over, because of the friendship that develops,” says Lynn Brown, an SEO consultant at Canzdesign.com. “The boss doesn't like to point out errors in case that affects the friendship and then ends up resenting the employee.”
In the event that you happen to report to one of these friendly bosses, try to remember that they have firing power. No matter how approachable and accommodating they may seem at first, never underestimate their position by taking advantage of a nice boss’s friendly persona. They may grant you the days off but it’s very possible that they internally resent you for it. If given the chance, there is a very strong possibility that they will choose to exercise their right to fire if they feel you don’t respect them.
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