Message #68407

[reynolpa]

My boss and I are opposites but we have a great working relationship.  I think it's because I listen more than I speak.  I've found after many years in this field that often our senior managers just need to vent and they need to do so with someone they trust.  I sense that your boss is picking up on your body language as it does come through loud and clear in your post - don't get too close!  Nothing wrong with that but I think we get back what we put out.  I am not that interested in developing a personal relationship with my boss.  I have that with my family, friends and select co-workers.  My supervisor and I share superficial aspects of our personal lives such as where we went on the weekend, a bit of family news, etc. but I would never share any personal problems with him unless they were work related.  

If you are able to do your job with the relationship you now have with your boss that should be sufficient.  Not everyone likes to be  "buddy-buddy"!