Why Likeability Is Overrated at Work
Episode 142June 18, 202548 min
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Show notes
In this episode: the difference between being liked and being respected; why deference signals low status; how to trade some likeability for effectiveness; and the studies behind it all.
Transcript
Jeffrey Pfeffer: People come to me all the time and they say, I want to be more influential, but I also want everybody to like me. And my answer is usually — pick one. Because the data on this is actually quite clear...
The research shows that the behaviors that build power are not always the behaviors that make you popular in the moment. Ambition, asking for what you want, taking up space — these things read as high status, and high status is the currency of influence.