Building good relationships in the workplace is crucial for career growth. Often, employees who get along well with their boss feel secure and believe they will be supported through challenges. However, office dynamics can change unexpectedly. A popular career coach, Rachna Singh, recently shared a story on her Instagram account CreativeJo emphasizing how relying solely on close ties with a boss can be risky.
Good Relations With the Boss May Not Always Protect You
Rachna Singh worked at a firm where she and a colleague shared the same boss. The colleague enjoyed a strong rapport with this boss despite having a somewhat stern attitude toward others. Over two to three years, the colleague maintained confidence that the boss would defend her in difficult situations, which made others hesitant to question her. Meanwhile, Rachna was relatively new and less connected within the team.
Many employees believe that a close association with a superior shields them from criticism or job insecurity. Rachna’s colleague seemed to hold this belief firmly, feeling secure about her position as long as she had the boss’s favor. She underestimated how shifts within the company could overturn those assumptions and put her at risk.
Management Changes Can Shift Office Power Dynamics
Eventually, the company underwent a management change, bringing in new leadership with different expectations. The new management was dissatisfied with Rachna’s colleague’s performance. Although it was expected that the boss would protect her longtime employee, the boss chose not to intervene. Consequently, the colleague was forced to leave the organization, revealing that old alliances do not necessarily guarantee job security.
According to Rachna, the boss’s priorities shifted after the arrival of a new CEO. Seeking to align with the new leadership, the boss focused on securing her own position rather than supporting former close associates. This underscores how managers often make decisions based on their own interests and the evolving corporate environment.
This story highlights the danger of placing too much trust in a single relationship at work. While maintaining good connections is valuable, it is unwise to base one’s entire professional stability on one ally, no matter how influential.
Building a Robust Network and Skills for Career Resilience
Rachna advises employees to cultivate strong professional relationships with their entire team, other departments, and individuals who recognize their work. Continuously improving skills and developing a reputation based on one’s own merits is essential. Instead of relying on favoritism or a single powerful person, building diverse and reliable networks helps safeguard against uncertainties.
In summary, good workplace relationships matter but are not sufficient alone. Employees should focus equally on honing their capabilities and building a broad support system within the organization that can help them navigate challenges.
