R-E-S-P-E-C-T

Respect versus popularity, this is a dilemma we all have to face at work sooner or later. It's the old conflict between being professional and being personal. We want to do a good job, but we want to be friends with everyone, to. The truth is, though, you can't always be liked if you do your job properly. And the desire to keep everyone happy can become a weakness, even an Achilles heel.

Worry about what others think makes us reactive when we need to be proactive. At worst, we're so busy playing Pollyanna we lose sight of the demands of the job and our own needs. This is a particular problem area for female professionals. It's a hangover from childhood. We all long to be the most popular girl in the school. Also girls are brought up to try to please and to keep everyone happy, especially men. Later on, this need to be liked gets in the way of career progress. Men at work don't give a thought to what others think so long as they get their own way.