The way people feel about you on the job can have an important effect on how successful you are at forming important work relationships that enable you to get things done.
In fact, according to a Harvard Business Review study, likeability trumps competence, even if the disagreeable employee has the right skill set.
Other benefits of being perceived to be friendly and likeable on the job:
- Likeable employees may bring more business to a company because they have better rapport with customers.
- Being agreeable can often bring more promotions and bigger salaries.
Conversely, an unpleasant personality may cost you that new job you were looking for, and the old one you wanted to leave behind.
However, there can also be a downside to likeability. For example, managers who are too likeable can occasionally get too sociable with their subordinates, blurring the line between boss and friend.
