DEAR HARRIETTE: My boss just lately began following me on social media.
At first I didn’t suppose a lot of it, however now he feedback on practically all the things I publish: photos of my canine, updates from household occasions, even informal issues like a photograph of my dinner.
What began out as a innocent interplay is starting to really feel invasive, like my boss has a window into elements of my life I’d quite hold separate from work.
I attempt to hold my posts mild and respectful, however I additionally use social media to attach with pals and share private opinions that don’t have something to do with my job.
Realizing that my boss isn’t solely watching however actively chiming in makes me really feel self-conscious and even slightly judged. On the identical time, I don’t need to block or limit him and danger wanting unprofessional, unfriendly or like I’ve one thing to cover.
I really feel caught between desirous to protect wholesome boundaries and worrying about how my boss would possibly interpret it if I distance myself on-line.
How do I deal with this example with out damaging my skilled relationship or my peace of thoughts?
— Social Battle
DEAR SOCIAL CONFLICT: It might be awkward to ask your boss to cease observing or posting in your web page. Don’t try this. Merely be conscious of what you publish, as you ought to be doing anyway.
You already know he’s wanting, and others are, too. Don’t publish something that might compromise your job, your integrity or your skilled relationships. Keep away from posting something that might harm you down the road.
Right here’s some recommendation to everybody: Don’t publish something in haste, when intoxicated or when emotionally charged. It may backfire.
DEAR HARRIETTE: My supervisor has a behavior of scheduling conferences that always run lengthy, and so they ceaselessly overlap with different commitments on my calendar.
More often than not, these overlapping commitments are networking chats with colleagues. I do know that my major duty is to prioritize my supervisor and my staff’s work, however I really feel like I’m always within the awkward place of getting to cancel or reschedule these networking conferences on the final minute.
It’s particularly uncomfortable when I’ve to push again on somebody’s time simply minutes earlier than the assembly begins; I fear it makes me look unprofessional or like I don’t worth that particular person’s time.
On the identical time, I don’t need my boss to suppose I’m unwilling to be versatile since I perceive issues come up and conferences don’t at all times run on schedule.
How can I carry this up with my supervisor in a manner that’s respectful however nonetheless communicates that these fixed conflicts are placing me in a tricky spot? I need to be certain I’m being a staff participant whereas additionally defending my skilled status and relationships exterior of my staff.
— Establishing Boundaries
DEAR ESTABLISHING BOUNDARIES: You’ve got seen a sample along with your boss, so, for starters, schedule your networking conferences an hour later than you have got been with a view to give your self a buffer.
You too can converse to your boss to say that you’ve got made plans on explicit days or evenings and you’ll have to depart even when a gathering runs lengthy. Do your finest to handle your time by sharing your calendar early on.
