One of my reports is also a friend, and I cannot bring myself to hold them to the same standard as everyone else. I let things slide for them that I would address in anyone, and the rest of the team has started to notice the double standard.
“I cannot hold a friend who reports to me accountable”
“I let things slide for a friend on my team”
“there is a double standard for my friend-report”
The path forward
1Name the double standard
2Apply the same standard once
3Separate friendship from accountability
One thing to try this week
Hold your friend-report to one standard this week that you would hold anyone to, kindly and clearly. Fairness to the whole team requires it, and a real friend can take it.