12 Signs Your Boss Wants To Be Friends

A friendly workplace is a happy workplace – and who doesn’t want to be friends with boss? But what are the signs your boss likes you wants to be friends with outside of work?

A good from friend to boss-employee relationship is built on mutual respect, trust, and a shared sense of purpose. But what if when your friend becomes your boss wants something more?

Your Boss Wants To Be Your Friend – 12 Signs

Bosses who want to be friends outside of work typically exhibit the following behaviors:

1. They Invite You To After Work Activities:

Your boss may invite you out for drinks after work or join them for dinner with other colleagues.

Or, they may invite you to join them for weekend activities they think you’ll enjoy.

For instance, they send you an email about tickets they got for a show or game and invite you to join them.

Or, they let you know about a party or other event they’re going to and invite you to come along.

When you’re invited to after-work activities, it’s a good sign that your boss wants to be friends.

They want to get to know you better, and they’re interested in your life outside of work. 

And, they may be hoping that you’ll invite them to join you for activities, too. They will also try to get to know your friends and family.

2. They Tell You Personal Stories: 

Can you be being friends with your boss may share personal stories with you that they wouldn’t usually share with other colleagues.

For instance, they may tell you about their family, hobbies, or weekend plans.

They may also confide in you about work-related stressors or personal problems. 

When your boss shares personal stories with you, they are trying to create a bond with you.

They think you’re someone they can trust, and they want you to feel like you can confide in them.

They want you to trust them, but they also want you to like them.

3. They Remembered Your Birthday: 

Your boss may remember your birthday, and they may even give you a card or a gift. 

They might send you an email on your birthday or mention it to you in person.

Or, they may invite you out to lunch on your birthday. They are interested in you as a person, and they want to make sure you feel appreciated.

Birthdays are a special day for most people. So when your boss remembers yours, you can be sure they want to be friends.

Not only that, but they are also trying to build a relationship with you that is based on more than just work.

4. They Compliment You: 

Your boss may give you compliments on your work or your appearance.

They may also tell you that you’re doing a great job. Compliments are a way to build rapport and trust.

For instance, if you’re doing a good job, your boss may say, “I’m impressed with the work you’ve been doing. 

You’re doing a great job.” 

Or, they may say, “You look nice today. That’s a great outfit.” 

Your boss wants you to know that they appreciate you and value your work. 

And, they may be hoping that you’ll return the compliments. Compliments are also a way to make people feel good about themselves.

When your boss compliments you, they are trying to make a connection with you.

5. They Ask For Your Advice: 

Your boss may ask for your advice on work-related matters or personal matters.

This is a way for them to get to know you better and see what you think about things.

Your boss values your opinion, and they want to hear what you say.

For instance, they may ask you for advice on how to handle a difficult situation at work. “I’m not sure how to deal with this. What do you think I should do?” 

Or, they may ask for your opinion on a business decision they’re thinking about making. “I’m thinking about planning a company retreat. What do you think?” 

When your boss asks for your advice, it’s a good sign that they want to be friends.

When your boss asks for your advice, it’s a sign that they trust you.

6. You Have Common Interests: 

You may have common interests with your boss outside of work. This can be anything from music to movies to sports. 

Having common interests is a way to bond with someone. And it’s also a way to get to know them better.

Your boss may want to be friends with you because they enjoy spending time with you.

For instance, they may invite you to see a movie with them about a hero you both like. Or they may ask you to join their bowling team.

Or, they may want to be friends with you because they see you as an equal.

7. They Include You In Conversations: 

Your boss may include you in conversations with other colleagues.

This is a way for them to get to know you better and see how you interact with others.

For instance, they may ask you to join them for lunch with a few other colleagues.

Or, when they’re having a conversation with someone, they may ask you to join in.

“What do you think about this? What would you do in this situation?” 

Your boss may also want you to feel like part of the team. Including you in conversations is a sign of trust and respect. 

Especially when conversations aren’t work-related, your boss wants to know more about you.

8. They Ask Personal Questions:

Your boss may ask personal questions about your life outside of work.

They may ask about your family, hobbies, or weekend plans. “Do you have any plans for the weekend? What are you up to?” 

Personal questions can be a way to get to know someone better. And they can also be a way to build trust and rapport. 

Your boss may ask personal questions because they want to be friends with you. Or, they may ask personal questions because they are interested in you as a person.

9. They Give You Gifts: 

Your boss may give you gifts for special occasions or just because. This is a way to show their appreciation for you.

My boss wants to be my friend, they may give you a gift for your birthday or Christmas. Or, they may give you a bonus at work.

Giving gifts is a way to show that your boss cares about you. And it’s also a way to build rapport and trust. 

When your boss gives you a gift, they are trying to make a connection with you. And they may be hoping that you’ll reciprocate the gesture.

10. They Handle Your Grievances Personally:

Your boss may handle your grievances personally. This is a way to show that they care about you and want to resolve the issue.

For instance, if you have a problem with your work schedule, your boss may talk to you about it directly.

Or, if you’re having trouble with a coworker, your boss may talk to you about it.

Your boss wants to be friends with you because they see you as an equal. And they want to resolve any issues that you may have. When your friend is your boss.

11. They Ask About Your Plans:

Your boss may ask about your plans for the future. This is a way to get to know you better and see what you’re thinking about.

For instance, they may ask about your plans for your career. Or, they may ask about your goals for your personal life.

“What is it that you want to do with your life?” is a loaded question, but bosses who sincerely want to be friends will ask it anyway.

They may also ask about your plans for the future friend becomes boss they want to help you achieve them.

For instance, they may offer you a promotion or a raise. Or, they may give you advice on how to achieve your goals.

12. You Have One-on-One Meetings: 

When your boss requests one-on-one meetings, it’s a sign that they want to be friends with you.

One-on-one meetings are a way to build trust and rapport. They’re also a way to get to know someone better.

Your boss may want to be friends with you because they enjoy spending time with you. Or they want to give you regular feedback. 

This shows that your boss values you and wants to help you grow.

And it’s also a way for them to keep tabs on what’s going on in your life.

So here are some signs that your boss wants to be friends with you. If you notice any of these signs, it’s a good idea to reciprocate the gesture.

Why Does Your Boss Want to Be Friends?

It’s great to have a boss who wants to be friends with you. But it’s also essential to understand why they may want to be friends.

Here are a few reasons why your boss may want to be friends with you or should you be friends with your boss:

1. They Like You:

This is the most obvious reason. Signs a coworker wants to be friends. Your boss may want to be friends with you because they like you.

They may enjoy your company and want to spend more time with you.

And they want to start a friendship because they see you as a good person. Or they also might be looking forward to dating you.

In this situation, it’s essential to be clear about your boundaries. Signs a coworker wants to be friends. You don’t want to lead your boss on if you’re not interested in them.

2. You’re New To The Company:

If you’re new to the company, your boss may want to be friends with you.

This is because they want to get to know you better. And they want to see if you’re a good fit for the company.

In this situation, it’s essential to be open and honest with your boss. It would help if you told them about your goals and your plans for the future.

And you should also ask about their expectations for you.

3. You’re A High Performer:

If you’re a high performer, your boss can be friends with you. This is because they see potential in you.

And they want to help you grow and develop your career. Moreover, they may feel closer to you because you’re doing well at your job.

In this situation, it’s crucial to appreciate your boss’s efforts. You should thank them for their help, showing your willingness to learn. 

Conclusion:

Some bosses want to be friends with their employees, while others do not. If your boss wants to be friends with you, they may invite you to lunch.

Or they might ask about your plans or request one-on-one meetings. They may also give you advice or offer you a promotion.

Understand that there may be an ulterior motive if your boss wants to be friends with you. They may want to get to know you better or see potential in you.

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