Lonely at the Top, Leading with Authority (Even When You’re Friends)

We’re diving into a topic many practice managers quietly struggle with—what happens when your team feels more like friends than employees? Dana and Sandy tackle a heartfelt listener question: “How do I manage a team I’ve been friends with for years?”

Whether you were promoted from within, or made the mistake of hiring a friend, this episode will help you maintain professionalism without sacrificing connection. You’ll learn how to:

• Lead with warmth while keeping your edge

• Set clear boundaries and expectations

• Avoid favoritism and cliques

• Stay approachable without losing authority

• Create protocols that do the talking for you

👥 Listener shoutout: Thank you, Heather, for bravely sharing your story and inspiring this important conversation.

Key takeaways:

• Consistency over comfort builds trust.

• Keep friend chat and leadership decisions separate.

• Use writing to reduce drama and maintain accountability.

• If you hire a friend, be prepared to lead like a boss—not a buddy.

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