Building a friendly relationship with co-workers can be a tough challenge for most managers and supervisors. The line between boss and subordinate is so defined that it is almost impossible to create even a minute fringe for casual chatter without threatening the entire streak to break.

If you are opting to create a more productive harmony in the work place, here are useful tips to be friends with co-workers while maintaining their respect for your authority.

1. Start the day with a smile.
   Break the morning ice with an encouraging smile that will lighten the dense workroom aura. As the leader, you are in a very good position to influence a positive motivation among your workers. Remember that a happy person is most likely a productive one.

2. Be an exemplar of expected workplace etiquette.
   Colleagues and subordinates effortlessly respect superiors whom they perceive to be deserving of their respect and loyalty. Basic office decorum such as wearing appropriate clothes, using proper language, coming in the office on time and starting meetings promptly should be observed to gain the respect of your workers, not only as the boss, but also as an individual.

3. Be a team player.
   A productive workplace is a product of the management’s successful supervision of the workers’ skills and expertise. It results from the coordination of workers from all levels under the effective leadership of the boss.

   “During preliminary client meetings, the PR Director pushes us writers to contribute our ideas,” says Marc, a Junior Writer for a marketing communications firm.

   Workers appreciate a boss who listens to their ideas, recommendations, and more so, to a boss who is open to varying opinions. They will feel important to the realization of the project, and thus cooperate more to its success.

4. Be generous with compliments.
   A time-tested way of charming others is regularly giving genuine compliments on well-done tasks, reports passed before the deadline, successful marketing campaigns, or creative presentations of project proposals. This shows how you value the efforts of your workers. This will also remind them that you are closely monitoring their performance.

5. Recognize notable achievements.
   Reward individual and group accomplishments with simple tokens. This will inspire workers to continue delivering progressive outputs.

   “Our area manager regularly updates the TOP SELLER of the MONTH section of the office bulletin,” shares Ritchell, a medical representative.

   This activity has proven to encourage healthy competition among the company’s sales force.

6. Build a sense of productive communion.
   Remember and celebrate important dates such as birthdays, company anniversary and Thanksgiving, where you and your workers can interact outside of the daily work routine.

   These events are venues for you to know your workmates in depth and understand their work habits and style. In turn, this will further aid you in developing more efficient leadership strategies and at the same time strengthen personal bonds.

   Leveling off with co-workers and subordinates takes keen and strategic observation of the workplace dynamics over a period of time. However, to an efficient boss, there’s definitely no unconquerable challenge.