We've talked several times about how being likable is a powerful career asset. In fact, some experts say that being likable is as important as -- or even more important than -- doing a great job.
Whether or not likability is as important as how you perform isn't an issue we can probably ever resolve. But what we all likely can agree to is the fact that being likable does have significant, positive career implications.
CNN Money agrees with this line of thinking. In fact, they say that if you want a promotion then you should make friends at work. Their thoughts:
Are you too busy to stop by your colleague's office to chat or go to lunch? Or are you someone who keeps work relationships strictly business? Be warned: If you're not reaching out to make and nurture friendships at work, you're probably hurting your career.
Recent research finds that people who initiate office friendships, pick up slack for their co-workers, and organize workplace social activities are 40% more likely to get a promotion in the subsequent two years. "How much you give at work directly affects how much you get at work," says Shawn Achor, author of The Happiness Advantage: The Seven Principles of Positive Psychology That Fuel Success and Performance at Work.
So why are these friendly people so much more likely to get a promotion? Because people like them! And in a world where there are so many decent workers, managers and executives would rather promote good workers they like than good workers (or even great workers) they don't like.
And while being likable can advance your career, being unlikable can kill it.
I was having lunch with a friend a couple weeks ago and he told me he had just fired one of his top performers. She did an excellent job, but there was just one problem -- everyone hated her. Her personality was toxic and had turned an otherwise great work environment sour (this is a small office of 15 people or so.) Eventually my friend had to let her go. Even though she did such a great job, her personality and actions were dragging down everyone else's results, and that was something his business just couldn't take.
Of course there are exceptions to the rule, like the guy people hate but who gets promoted because he can sell like a fiend. Or the person who gets fired even though he's the greatest guy in the world -- because he's a poor performer (I actually had to fire a guy like this once because he wasn't pulling his weight and my staff was suffering.) So I am NOT saying that being likable is all you need to do to get ahead in your career. But I am saying that it's an important factor in your career success, so you should strive to be as likable as possible.
Besides, it's a much better way to go through life IMO.
There's also a difference between trying to be liked and actually being likable. Some people are naturally easy to get along with, while others have to try to be social. Then there are some phonies, too.
But who knew that being a decent human being would get you places? Go figure.
-Christian L. @ Smart Military Money
Posted by: Christian L. | July 23, 2012 at 02:54 PM
If two people with similar credentials are up for promotion I bet the more likeable person wins. I try to stay positive and have a sense of humor and find that works for me. Just don't be a fake cheerleader... please!
Posted by: Lance@MoneyLife&More | July 23, 2012 at 02:55 PM
The wisdom of Woody Boyd (from "Cheers") comes through again!
Sam: You know what they say: You can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.
Woody: Maybe I shouldn't be butting in here, but you can catch the most with dead squirrels.
Posted by: Jeff | July 23, 2012 at 04:59 PM
We spend so much of our lives at work, it makes total sense to me that people that are enjoyable to be around would be rewarded for that trait. A person with a toxic personality can destroy morale so fast, and then no one is working to their full potential.
Posted by: Jamie | July 23, 2012 at 05:15 PM
I still remember the day that my manager brought a young new graduate over to my desk and said, "I would like you to meet R.B., I am going to assign him to work with you". This young man was only average in his technical capabilities and his degree was not as applicable in our department as the ones that most other other employees possessed. However I noticed right away how likeable he was, and we soon become the best of friends. Later I noticed how he made a point to remember the name of everyone he met much more than I ever did and would greet them by name when they passed by in a corridor.
My career was a good one for me but I always preferred computers to people, went up the technical path and ended up as a senior staff engineer to a manager when I retired. Through mutual friends I was able to keep track of R.B's progress after I retired and was only slightly surprised to find out years later that when R.B. retired he had gone up the management path and risen to become a divisional vice president.
Posted by: Old Limey | July 23, 2012 at 07:45 PM
It really isn't hard to be friendly and respectful of other people. I think it can't be faked either as the lack of sincerity comes out in the body language.
-Mike
Posted by: Mike Hunt | July 23, 2012 at 09:59 PM
I completely agree and wish my manager would see this too. We have a Supervisor who is technically very bright, but absolutely horrible with people. Our small plant (7 staff, 15 hourly workers) has suffered so much with him, but the manager won't do anything about it. Says he's looking at "the big picture". Very frustrating, and you can definitely tell that it has damaged moral.
Posted by: Angela Carbonell | August 02, 2012 at 09:25 AM