Why Popularity at Work Matters
In high school, didn’t a part of you always wonder how the cool kids did it? Popularity remained an enigmatic aspect of human existence that ceased to be relevant once we threw our caps in the air…right?
There are scores of research studies on popularity in schools, and most have indicated that popular children are viewed as better students and make and maintain friendships more easily. In 2009, however, organizational psychologists Timothy Judge and B.A. Scott at the University of Florida demonstrated that popularity plays a significant role on success in the workplace. They defined popularity as being “accepted by one’s peers” and conceptualized it as a function of both an employee’s personality and the situational position within his group. As a result of studying two samples of employee populations, professors Judge and Scott reported that co-workers reliably agreed about who was popular on their team – and who wasn’t. Co-workers also felt that an employee’s popularity was associated with receiving more favorable treatment at work. Why? Judge and Scott suggest that popular employees are rewarding to interact with for both emotional and instrumental reasons. In addition to being “fun to be with,” popular individuals are thought to increase co-worker status by association and make it easier to get things done.
Meg Cabot just wrote a book for teens called How to Be Popular, but rest assured, I’m not going to make you read it. Instead, here are some painless tips for increasing your popularity on the office social circuit.
- Be interested in other people: Human beings love to talk about themselves and be listened to. By taking the time to learn about what a co-worker deems important and inquiring about those things, you’ll make her happy and encourage her to like you.
- Shift attention away from yourself: Don’t chat on endlessly about what you and your boyfriend or girlfriend did over the weekend, and if a co-worker broaches a particular topic, don’t immediately turn the discussion to your own experiences. Instead of trying to be admired, be admiring.
- Eradicate self-consciousness: People who lack confidence make others feel nervous and awkward. When conversing with co-workers, try to be natural and relaxed, without worrying about how you’re being perceived.
- Organize team building activities: You don’t have to be your department’s cheerleader, but it’s nice to occasionally take charge of getting the group together for drinks or another fun activity after work or during the holidays. Most people like to be social, and the individual who takes responsibility for being the organizer usually gets popularity points.
- Help whenever you can: Always be generous with your knowledge, expertise, and time without expecting anything in return. People like those who they can count on in times of stress and who are willing to pitch in without making a big production out of it.
WRITER'S BIOGRAPHY
Alexandra Levit
Alexandra Levit's goal is to help people find meaningful jobs - quickly and simply - and to succeed beyond measure once they get there. If you're struggling with what to do with your career in the New Year, visit www.newjobnewyou.com for free guidance and resources.
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Comments
Richard | RichardShelmerdine.com says on January 4th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
If you are popular you carry a vibe that makes everyone around you feel instantly at ease which is always great. I love making people relaxed who were tense beforehand.
Ben Lumley says on January 4th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I think there needs to be a distinction between “cool” and “popular”. Being popular at school is very different to being popular in the workplace.
In the workplace those yobbish loud people aren’t always as popular as they were at school. In adult worlds they’re often seen as annoying and to be avoided around the office.
Ryan @ Planting Dollars says on January 4th, 2010 at 4:59 pm
I think having the ability to deal with multiple personality types is a really valuable asset when becoming popular in the office.
Dealing with the introverted accountant one minute and the outspoken salesperson the next can sometimes be a challenge. So patience, an open mind, and genuinely caring about others’ opinions goes a long way.
Hans Hageman says on January 4th, 2010 at 5:50 pm
I enjoyed the piece. I have also found that consistency and authenticity help with popularity.
andy says on January 5th, 2010 at 2:32 am
I enjoyed the piece. I have also found that consistency and authenticity help with popularity
Tomas Stonkus says on January 5th, 2010 at 7:07 pm
Popularity. It is important but not essential. You can become essential without being popular.
That’s my personal experience. I have long since gave up trying to be popular and just started being myself. In the end, becoming popular might do something with being yourself, but it is a side effect.
Popularity is not an end, it’s just a side a effect of being the best person you can be. I guess that encompasses all of the things that you mention in the article such caring for others, putting their interests first and so on.
So if we focus on being a the best we can be, chances are we will become popular :)
Best,
Tomas
NNM says on January 6th, 2010 at 3:57 am
I don’t agree at all.
“Popular” are also hated, make “enemies”, etc.
The best is just to keep distances and never get too personal, stay away from any spotlight. People can argue, but you will remain on good terms with both parties, always.
timgray says on January 6th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
I found being professional and nice makes you very popular in the workplace. If you always smile and are nice to your coworkers you end up being popular.
If you are the type that says, “that’s not my job” or “I’m too busy to help you” then that’s a great way to become un-popular in the workplace.
All Women Stalker says on January 7th, 2010 at 1:46 am
It boils down to whether or not majority of your co-workers like you. Life is easier this ways.
Aaron Taylor - HelpCreatePlan says on January 7th, 2010 at 9:56 pm
I agree with your thoughts Alexandra. Popularity is important at work, especially if you want to ‘get on’ and ‘move up’. If you dont and you’re just content with doing a good job and getting paid at the end of the month(which is fine) then this isnt really a requirement.
Bosses look keenly at popular people, the ones who have a genuine buzz around them (through been an expert or a font of knowledge on a certain subject). There is the other type of popular person – the annoying type of popular workplace individual (i think this is the type Ben Lumley was referring to above) – the ones who always have the latest daft joke, or the one who knows every inch of every clip of family guy. These are ok, but will in no way assist in your upward movement. Sometimes been associated with these ‘popular’ ones can do more harm than good.
Very interesting post
Reagy says on January 11th, 2010 at 9:39 am
Disagree. This post reminds me of a guy in our office who appears to have followed all of these steps outlined. He didn’t come across as fake or anything but people thought of him as simply annoying. Sure, popularity at school rests upon many of these assumptions, but in ‘office politics’, it’s best to keep your mouth shut, do your job better than anybody else, along with being courteous. Nothing else matters.
adam says on January 13th, 2010 at 8:41 pm
I partically, but don’t entirely agree with this assessment. I think there’s a triangle of success in the workplace that goes as follows:
1) Popularity (get along with others well)
2) Knowledge (an invaluable resource to the company in whatever capacity)
3) Work Ethic (you’re willing to put in the time and effort to learn and help others)
I think, one out of these three, you’re in trouble. Two out of three you’re not doing too bad…three out of three, hello executive life. Unfortunately, I aimed for #’s 2 and 3 since I’ve never been good at the whole popularity thing.
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Marsha Egan says on January 17th, 2010 at 4:03 pm
I like to think of ‘popular’ as ‘approachable.’ People who can relate throughout an organization can get things done in positive ways.
Another foundation for being approachable is to have self confidence, to not be needy. Needing approval from others is very offputting to them – you may not see it, but they do.
So being approachable / popular is about being comfortable with yourself, so that you CAN focus on others.
Jay says on January 28th, 2010 at 6:38 am
I think it differs between genders
It may be more important for women they tend to be more social oriented.
For a man it’s productivity that matters.