As a boss, do I have to remain professional or is it okay to be everyone's friend?

Yes, I have to remain professional

Remain professional but care about the whole em. Employees who struggle personally are usually less productive. Knowing and caring for your people does not make them your friends.

You can be everyone’s friend and be boss at the same time

Remain professional but don’t loose your human sense

It is impossible to be everyone's friend. Not every one will like you nor will you like every one. Be a fair boss to every one according to what you know of the business needs and your staff's strengths. There is better value in being a good boss that your staff can count on in supporting the work you are all doing versus being a friend to everyone.

It's not okay to be everyone's friend. The manager is supposed to be respected as well as feared by the staff. Being liked by everyone will get you "NOWHERE."

As the boss and the leader you have to always remain professional but you can also be friendly at the same time and insert your leadership in a friendlier kind of way

Remaining professional is always the best choice because then when it comes down to having to make a difficult decision like whether or not to terminate someone if you're their friend that makes it more difficult even if they've been doing things they shouldn't have. It's a good idea to be working friends and maintain a positive relationship but in my opinion as a supervisor you should separate work and personal life to ensure no conflict of interest

Of course it is ok. As long as you can provide open and candid feedback (positive, negative or constructive) and be the boss when necessary.

Friendship with professional accountabilities in each. Very few leaders can do this so it’s rare.

Remaining professional is a must. The question then becomes if you can be a friend to your subordinates. This will be a judgment call - some places may be okay with this as it helps improve morale. But a boss also needs to know where the balance is - so that they don't sacrifice being professional over being a friend.

Professional but friendly, not a friend.