Dentaltown January 2020 - 26

message board
Jamar M Jackson
Member Since: 04/03/05
Post: 4 of 21

sunny187
Member Since: 08/24/17
Post: 5 of 21

You can be friendly, but you should absolutely not be friends. You're approaching it wisely.
You'll hear stories of owners having staff to their homes for annual parties, vacation together,
etc. It works for them, so more power to them. We hang out once a year at Christmas, that's it.
You will be privy to every employee's personal life because most will blah blah blah about
every detail, but it will not be directly said to you, so just ignore it all and don't comment.
Don't lend your staff money, and don't get involved in anything about their personal life.
Do not get involved with their problems because they will become yours. You can only lose, I
promise you. It will be natural over time to chat about each other's kids, what vacation you went
on, family members who have gotten married, divorced or passed away. This is normal.
You don't have to be mute; just make sure you do the least talking and keep it broad. Do not
discuss any of your personal or financial problems, either-again, you can only lose. And again,
do not ever lend staff money. ■

My issue is that my current staff is used to a family-type environment without borders,
because of their previous relationship with the seller. They are young and mid-20s and seller was
mother-type figure for them. I'm a 29-year-old guy, so the dynamic is very different now. I guess
we are all millennials, so feelings matter above all else. My generation sucks. ■
1/7/2019

Jamar M Jackson
Member Since: 04/03/05
Post: 6 of 21

Kevin Tighe
Member Since: 12/27/10
Post: 8 of 21

This will only be an issue if you make it an issue. You're thinking too much and too hard
about this. You can be friendly but not friends, end of the story. ■
1/7/2019

Every practice is unique but in general, "friendly, but never friends with staff" is the way to
go. ■
1/8/2019

mikeyandrewdds
Member Since: 03/28/13
Post: 9 of 21

Easier said than done. Half my staff are millennials, the other half baby boomers. Easily
90% of the bitching/moaning comes from hurt "feelings" related to the millennial employees. I
agree with "sunny187" ... millennials suck. ■
3/10/2019

Eric56
Member Since: 09/16/17
Post: 10 of 21

Timmy G aka Nowhere Man
Member Since: 04/14/02
Post: 11 of 21

Ahhh, the old "blame the millennials" card. Too easy, try harder. ■
4/20/2019

I consider many of them friends but in a broad sense. I have friends and I have friends. No
socializing other than holiday office functions. While I do not discuss many personal things,
the reality is that some have been with me for 20 years or more. We've been through loss of
parents, family illnesses, so many births, etc. So, no, not the close type of friends, but friends
with a boundary. I wouldn't want to work with a bunch of strangers, but that doesn't mean you
have to share everything! ■
4/20/2019

Why can't we be friends?
What's your experience with maintaining boundaries and being friendly with your
staff members? Is it good to take the relationship outside of the office or is it best
to keep it strictly professional? Those who weighed in seem to have found that delicate balance, have you? Share your tips and more by viewing this message board
online at dentaltown.com/magazine.

JANUARY 2020 // dentaltown.com

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Dentaltown January 2020

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