Is navigating personal and professional relationships a challenge for any of you? I got my feelings hurt when it became obvious that someone I thought was a good friend saw me primarily as a client. I felt used for my money and my connections. This year, one of my clients is clearly wanting to transition into a friendship. I like her, so it’s all good, but it’s made me aware of the weird signals we can give each other when blending personal and professional. Has anyone else observed this?

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Unfortunately we get hit double because we are women executives. Guys can have their friendships at work and use those friendships to band together and get ahead and no one questions it. But if a woman has a friendship with a guy at work there are more questions even if 99.% of the time it is just a friendship. It’s caused me to be really careful at work on “friendships”.

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True, though I was talking specifically about relationships with other women.

I will say personal relationships have been really hard for me, specifically in dating. I just stay so busy that I feel like I don't have time for romantic relationships and they always feel like they are being neglected. It has made my dating life very challenging.

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I understand your point. something similar happened to me. I thought I was developing a good relationship with one of my client's but found that on her end, it was a different story. I was embarrassed that I thought it was more and had even invited her to my house for Christmas. Once I realized, I just kind of shut down and am in protective mode. I have good friends - I don't really need more - lol.

I had one but it was with an another female coworker. We had a mentor / mentor relationship where I was most often the mentor because I’ve been in the industry longer but she had a lot to offer me, too. Parked my entire portfolio with her when I went on family leave to give her the opportunity to show she is ready for the next level. She got promoted while I was out and when I came back, she told me there was only room for one of us and refused to give any of my portfolio back. The folks above us were guys - she cried about how hard it is and how shrewd I am, I didn’t throw any punches and then they did the “you built it once you can do it again” and I was out.

Now I’m super cautions with female - female business relationships of any kind until I know for sure they aren’t coming for my position. Understanding the need to grow the table for more seats vs compete for the seat another woman is sitting at seems to still allude some of our peers.

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