Curious about people’s thoughts on whether they think that a manager and subordinate can be close work friends?

The power dynamic will affect the interactions. The manager will probably feel more comfortable and like it is a real friendship, while the subordinate may feel like they don’t have a choice and have to watch their words.
It is very easy for a line to get crossed. In my experience, it’s best to wait to be in a different position/team to pursue the friendship!

I am and was very good friends outside of work with my last manager. I am a pretty high performer though and was the strongest person on her team, so there weren't ever any issues to work through from a performance perspective. We would butt heads occasionally as she would micro manage when she was overly stressed, but I knew that was just one of her weaknesses. My guess is that both people have to be pretty self aware in this type of situation.

Yes, until the subordinate is disciplined, and the manager is accused of harassment. It's not a good idea.

Typically not a good idea, but I also think this is circumstantial and depends on the history of the relationship and the individuals themselves. I witness the only example I've seen of this working out with my husband, who was hired by one of his best friends from life who is CEO of the company. (It's a small company, and most of the employees went to college together 20+ years ago and have been working together for 10+ years.) They do a really good job of being mature, having open dialogue and handling feedback. It helps that, as individuals, neither is ego driven, my husband is damn good at his job, and that the company itself has a healthy workplace environment. That said, what would happen if they had to lay my husband off? If his close friend had to have that conversation? Would they be able to maintain the personal side of the friendship afterwards? I know my husband well, and he takes nothing personally, but none of us really know how we'd react to circumstances until we face them.

If a relationship isn't founded on 20 years of understanding, but is new... Or if the individuals themselves tend to take things personally, it could easily be soured by the power dynamic of a manager-subordinate situation. Proceed with caution.

My work bestie was promoted into being my boss. We managed, but being on the subordinate side of things was pretty difficult, it absolutely impacted how I acted with her. I could not be completely myself and tell her everything. A couple of times it felt like that was held against me and I learned my lesson quickly. It would definitely be a different perspective as the boss. I sometimes get that friend urge with someone who reports to me because we are so similar in a lot of ways and really enjoy each other. But having had the experience I did, I know she can’t just switch off the fact that I’m her boss.

I’m good friends with one of my direct reports. We are always conscious of whether we are wearing our work hats or our friend hats.

It’s always been a big no for me. Managers will either abuse their power or the other person abuse the friendship. I’ve never seen it work in my opinion.

I would say also depends on the people and situation. I was good friends with a subordinate, and but we started out as relative equals and we ALWAYS had the the spoken and reinforced understanding that the friendship is friendship, but the job 100% comes first in the workplace. We were getting paid to get things done effectively and agreed that honesty, accountability, and professional integrity had to absolutely be maintained. I think you need people who agree on that though. They have to respect the business/ team enough to put it first and friendship second.

Am I the only one here? I turn each of my managers to be my work friend. And I just had a kid play date with my ex manager in the past weekend.

Really depends on the industry and age gap tbh. Like retail its probably more common/accepted than corporate

Yes I think it works as long as both are mature and there aren’t performance issues that have to be addressed. I became great friends with one of my employees who worked for me for 5 years and we still remain friends even though we don’t work together anymore. We just had a lot in common and honestly it made work so enjoyable. That said, I don’t actively try to be friends with everyone who reports to me, especially if I think I’ll have to address performance. I keep work lines strict in those cases.

I also am great friends with my own boss and have reported to him for 10 years now! I know his wife/kids and he knows my family. But again, I’ve never had a bad performance review and am a hard worker so I think that makes it easier. We also work at a great company where it’s not cutthroat and I think the culture lends itself more to friendly interactions.

No. Don’t do it. It complicates work issues. Other accusing you of favoritism as well. Wait until they no longer work for you to be friends outside work.

I have found that work friends, generally are just that for me. They are people that I enjoy working with. My personal life and my work life very rarely intersect. But that is by design.

I was someone who went from co-worker to manager. It’s possible. But as a manager you have to be sure not to play favorites. The relationship with a direct report becomes more like acquaintances until either of you leave.

There are some folks I have fb connects but it usually after I am no longer their manager.

I think guys do this better sometimes. They get the dynamics and realize I may report to you today, you may report to me tomorrow. Do what you need to do, nothing personal.

It's never been a good idea from my experience and I've learned the hard way.

If you're coworkers and not trying to move up to management then I think it's different.