Alison Green poses an interesting question in her blog on U.S. News. She asks readers whether or not a manager can be liked. In her opinion, a manager should expect not to be liked. She writes “the best you can hope for, as an effective manager, is to be well liked by the reasonable employees and the most competent ones—those who are so good that they never have to deal with you correcting them or the ones who get corrected but are intellectually honest enough not to resent you for it.” I think she brings up an important point when she suggests that a manager cannot expect all employees to like him or her.

Even more importantly, a manager cannot base decisions based upon whether or not people will like them. One blog reader responds by saying “I do think you can be a great leader and be well liked” and lists the reasons why. One of these reasons has to do with dependability, something that is essential to building trust. Managers who consistently act in accordance with their principles and address the issues – as necessary – gain respect from their direct reports. This, I think, contributes to a manager being “liked.”

Please note that I must differentiate here between a manager who is disliked for showing disrespect towards others and one who is disliked for making hard decisions yet shows respect for employees. I think the distinction is that a person can like another individual but not like his or her decisions. As Bill Gates writes “you need relationships - not necessarily personal friendships - with a fair number of people, including your own employees.”

How much of likability is based upon trust and dependability? Shevelenko and Berggren quote a Watson Wyatt survey which shows “companies with high trust outperform companies with low trust by 168%.” Employees respect managers who deal directly with the issues and follow through consistently, especially in the face of challenging circumstances.

What is your opinion?


References:

Gates, Bill. “A good manager has at least 10 good qualities.” Sunday Times Business Times [www.btimes.co.za].

Green, Alison. “Management Is Not a Popularity Contest.” U.S. News and World Report [www.usanews.com]. August 10, 2008.

Shevelenko, Alex and Erik Berggren. “Winning Through Talent in Uncertain Times: 45 Strategies to Get Ahead.” SuccessFactors Inc., 2008.