Leaders often have friends in the workplace. To avoid problems, recognize that you are a leader first and a friend second.

People come up with perceptions by comparing their memory of your behaviors and characteristics against their existing picture of what qualities are appropriate or ideal. The process can have a big impact on the decisions we make about others and the decisions they make about us.

In the simplest sense, managers and employees are in a relationship. Here are five pet peeves from good employees.

The most common political decisions are around resources (who gets them) and hiring and promotions (who gets in and goes up).

We all need a “go-to” person when times are tough or when we encounter an ambiguous or political situation. A “go-to” person is someone we rely on for expert advice, knowledge or assistance in an important situation.

John Lincoln of Lincoln Electric believed his role as a leader was to create an environment where his employees would be encouraged to discover new ways for the company to improve and to bring those suggestions forward for his consideration.

Everybody needs feedback to learn and grow. Yet how many employees can say they get the feedback necessary to perform well at work and develop their skills for the future? Research indicates that it’s not anywhere near enough.

As business environments change with new technologies, new competitors and new consumer preferences, many previously successful businesses falter.

Leadership is like singing — some can be born with the natural ability, but most need to work on it in order to become great. When Maddie Hayes thinks of a great leader, it's someone that stands out from the crowd and makes decisions for the better of everyone else instead of just themselves.

Critical thinking is the ability to use intelligence, knowledge and skills to question and carefully explore situations and arrive at thoughtful conclusions based on evidence and reason.