We have a great opportunity to be super tight with our employees — but should we be?

It's easy for us to fall in love with the idea of being close to the people we work with. In the early days of a startup, it’s almost unavoidable. We’re in the trenches together, working long hours, taking risks, and sharing wins. At some point, it stops feeling like a team and starts feeling like a family.

But there’s a line. And if we’re not careful, we cross it without realizing it. Suddenly we’re not just the boss. We’re the friend, the therapist, maybe even the surrogate parent. That closeness feels great, but it's also a potential liability.

I’ve been on both sides. I’ve run cultures where we were emotionally connected and others where we kept things ...