Would you rather be respected than liked at work?

[bethalize]

 Personal or professional? Add the political and boundaries become blurred. Is there a difference between friend and friendly? And do you live to work or work to live?

Results (total votes = 40):

Repect is all to me at work - as long as people are civil and polite, although I would prefer friendly.  I enjoy my job and put that first.	34 / 85.0%
I don't like to feel disrespected, but I would rather feel people I work with were my friends.	3 / 7.5%
I feel bad when I think someone doesn't like me and I would put making sure this doesn't happen first. I need to be liked to feel comfortable at work	1 / 2.5%
I can't make up my mind.	2 / 5.0%
I haven't a clue what you are talking about.	0 / 0.0%

 

[workerbee]

I like to be in friendly terms with everyone at work, but I don't pal around with any of them.  Many, many years ago, one of the older guys I worked with said in passing, "I might have to work with them, but I don't have to drink with them".  To an extent, I agree with that.



However, most people do like me; so I guess I can't be all bad.



Elaine

[bethalize]

Wow! Almost everyone so far said that work was more important to them than friendliness at work.



I am so glad that so many of us feel that way. I know I'm a bit of a coffee-pot feminist, but it is brilliant to see that so many people are confident in themselves and not bound by how others see them.



Liz

[fullmoongoddess]

IMHO, I feel that it also depends how large the office is.  I have worked for companies where the office is so large, you cannot expect to be liked by EVERYONE!  Virtually impossible.  Respect and the job are most important!  



I now work for an office of 6 - It is important that we get along like family for the team spirit to work.  Yes, there are those of us that disagree and get put out with others from time to time, but it's important to put negative feelings aside and patch the hole.  When one or two feel dysfunctional with another, it affects the whole office and we can't afford that.

[sungoddesslv]

I've always felt that respect for what I do is more important than whether or not I'm liked by everyone.  I don't expect to be bossom buddies with everyone I work with, and most often I do not socialize with them.  However, I do feel that friendly and civil come into play at the office - without it, there would be no teamwork, no coming together for the good of the company.

 

[officewiz]

I prefer to be respected.  



A few months ago I had a situation where a new senior vice president kept putting his hand on my shoulder when he spoke to me. Even though I made it clear that this startled/upset me, he would not stop.



One day, when heading out to lunch with some friends (departing the elevator), he did it again. I had a well-planned conniption, disjointedly slapped my hand on my heart, turned around and looked at him. I then said "Please don't do that--it really freaks me out." With my friends there, he looked really silly. He began telling people that I didn't like him; but from that point on, he stopped what I considered insulting, disrespectful behavior. My internal question was always: Would he want someone doing the same thing to his wife or sister?



I am a courteous person and I don't care if people do not like me but insist on being respected.

[adminwithatude]

I work hard, I've earned respect, and deserve respect.  Though I'm not "friends" with everyone one at work, I am "friendly" with everyone at work.  As the old saying goes, treat people as you would like to be treated.  

[countrigal]

I feel that as long as I earn respect, treat others respectively, and get respect in return, it allows any friendships that might develop to do just that.  I can't and won't be friends with everyone, but to say that I do not have close friends from work is silly.  Three of my closest friends all work for the same company as I do, though in different positions, but we all respect each other.  If 2 of us are going for the same position there's no back stabbing, bad mouthing or such.  We honestly wish each other the best and wait to see who the interviewers feel will fill the position or fit with the established team best.  We all realize that we're different people, different work habits (though actually quite similiar when you get down to it) but with differing amounts of time in service and so we all fill different niches in the facility.  I enjoy having friends that I can meet for lunch and talk about non-work related items, it helps me keep from feeling like I'm living to work.  But none of it happens without respect.