What is More Important - Being Liked or Being Respected

TRANSCRIPT

1. INTRODUCTION TO THE EPISODE

Host Brian: Welcome to English on the Go, the podcast where you can learn everywhere and speak everywhere! I'm Brian, your host, and today’s episode is all about personal connections and professional success.

Host Brian: We’re diving into a question that applies to everyone: Is it more important to be liked or respected?

Host Brian: As we explore this topic, you’ll hear new expressions and phrasal verbs to help boost your English.

Host Brian: Remember, learning a language isn’t just about words; it’s about understanding perspectives and expressing yourself clearly. So, let’s get started!

Host Brian: Think about this: Do you prefer working with someone friendly but less capable, or someone competent but not so approachable? Being liked and being respected often seem at odds, but both are critical in life.

Host Brian: Today, we’ll hear from Anna, a marketing professional, and David, a team manager, as they share their thoughts and challenge each other's ideas. Pay attention to how they use phrases to agree, disagree, and explain their perspectives.

2. PRE-LISTENING QUESTIONS

Host Brian: Before we jump into our conversation, take a moment to think about these questions:

Host Brian: Why do you think being liked is important in building relationships?

Host Brian: How does respect impact your decisions in work or personal life?

Host Brian: Have you ever had to choose between being liked and being respected? What happened?

3. MAIN CONVERSATION

Host Brian: Let’s dive into today’s discussion on what matters more—being liked or being respected. Joining us are Anna, a marketing professional who values social connections, and David, a team manager who emphasizes respect in leadership. Let’s see how their perspectives unfold!

Anna:

David, I think being liked is key in any setting, especially at work. When people like you, they’re more willing to collaborate, share ideas, and even go the extra mile. Wouldn’t you agree that teamwork thrives on mutual likability?

David:

That’s one way to look at it, Anna, but I’d argue that respect is the cornerstone of effective teamwork. Being liked is great, but it doesn’t guarantee trust in your abilities or decisions. Respect, however, ensures credibility and reliability.

Anna:

That’s true, but don’t you think being liked can lead to respect? When you show empathy and kindness, people naturally begin to trust and respect you over time. It creates a positive foundation for relationships.

David:

I see your point, but I think respect is earned through competence, consistency, and fairness. You might not always like your manager, especially if they’re making tough calls, but you’ll respect them if they’re fair and deliver results.

Anna:

I hear you, but focusing solely on being respected could make a leader seem distant or even unapproachable. If team members are afraid to speak up, that can stifle innovation and communication.

David:

Absolutely, but the reverse is also risky. A manager obsessed with being liked might avoid enforcing rules or addressing underperformance, which can hurt the team in the long run. Balance is what makes a leader truly effective.

Anna:

Balance—exactly! A good leader should be approachable but firm when it counts. And honestly, I think being liked lays the groundwork for better communication. What do you think about how these traits work in personal relationships?

David:

That’s a great question. In personal relationships, I think being liked often takes precedence. Respect is still important, but friendships are built on shared interests, humor, and likability. What about you?

Anna:

I agree. Friendships thrive on being liked, but even there, respect plays a role. For example, I had a friend who always made plans but never followed through. I liked them, but after a while, I lost respect for their reliability.

David:

That’s a good example. And in the workplace, it’s kind of the opposite. Have you ever worked with someone you didn’t like personally but respected professionally?

Anna:

Yes, actually. I once worked with a manager who was very strict and a bit distant, but they were excellent at their job. I learned a lot from them, even though we didn’t click socially.

David:

Same here. When I first started managing a team, I had to make some tough decisions—like reassigning tasks and cutting down on unnecessary meetings. Some people weren’t happy, but they respected me when they saw the results. It’s not easy, though.

Anna:

No, it’s not. I’ve also had moments where I focused too much on being liked. For example, I avoided giving constructive feedback to a colleague because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings. It backfired when the project didn’t meet expectations.

David:

That’s a tough lesson, but it shows why balance is crucial. Do you think there’s ever a situation where one is more important than the other?

Anna:

Good question. I’d say it depends on the context. In a leadership role, respect might take priority because it’s tied to trust and accountability. But in a social or collaborative setting, being liked can foster better teamwork and morale.

David:

I couldn’t agree more. And maybe the real key is knowing when to prioritize one over the other. It’s not about choosing between being liked or respected but understanding how to adapt to each situation.

Anna:

Exactly. And self-awareness plays such a big role in that. You need to know how others perceive you and how your actions influence those perceptions.

David:

Well said, Anna. I think we’ve come full circle on this. It’s not about being one or the other—it’s about striking the right balance and being true to yourself in the process.

Anna:

Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for the great conversation, David—and for reminding me that respect and likability aren’t mutually exclusive!

David:

And thank you, Anna, for sharing your insights. This was a fun and thought-provoking discussion!

4. VOCABULARY ANALYSIS

Host Brian: Now that we’ve heard a great discussion between Anna and David, let’s unpack some of the key words and phrases they used. These are super useful for intermediate learners and will help you sound more natural in English!

1. Cornerstone (noun ) means A fundamental part or basis of something.

o Example: Respect is the cornerstone of effective teamwork.

2. Empathy (noun ) means The ability to understand and share someone else’s feelings.

o Example: When you show empathy, people naturally begin to trust you.

3. Credibility (noun ) means The quality of being trusted and believed in.

o Example: Respect ensures credibility and reliability.

4. Stifle (verb ) means To suppress or hold back something, often creativity or expression.

o Example: If team members are afraid to speak up, that can stifle innovation.

5. Obsessed with (phrasal verb ) means To be overly focused on something.

o Example: A manager obsessed with being liked might avoid enforcing rules.

6. Approachable (adjective ) means Easy to talk to or reach out to.

o Example: A good leader should be approachable but firm.

7. Concede (verb ) means To admit or accept that something is true after first resisting it.

o Example: The characters occasionally concede to good arguments.

8. Backfired (verb ) means To have the opposite effect of what was intended.

o Example: It backfired when the project didn’t meet expectations.

9. Self-awareness (noun ) means Conscious knowledge of your own character, feelings, or actions.

o Example: Self-awareness plays a big role in knowing how others perceive you.

10. Full circle (idiom ) means To return to the original point or situation after a cycle of events.

o Example: We’ve come full circle on this discussion.

Host Brian: Listen to the conversation again and try to spot these words!

5. QUIZ

Host Brian: Ready for a quick quiz? Let’s see how much you remember from today’s conversation. I’ll reveal the answers at the end of the episode, so stay tuned!

Host Brian: 1 What does Anna believe being liked leads to in a team?

a) Respect

b) Collaboration and morale

c) Leadership success

d) Efficiency

Host Brian: 2 According to David, respect is earned through which of the following?

a) Humor and likability

b) Empathy and kindness

c) Competence, consistency, and fairness

d) Shared interests

Host Brian: 3 What phrase means to return to the original point after a cycle of events??

a) Backfired

b) Full circle

c) Cornerstone

d) Self-awareness

6. POST-LISTENING QUESTIONS

Host Brian: Now, let’s reflect on the topic with a few questions. Think about your own experiences and opinions.

Host Brian: Have you ever been in a situation where you felt it was more important to be liked than respected? Why? Hint: Think about relationships or work scenarios.

Host Brian: Do you believe that respect can be earned without being liked? Why or why not? Suggestion: Consider examples from the workplace or leadership roles.

Host Brian: What would you prioritize in a new environment—earning respect or making friends?

7. CONCLUSION

Host Brian: Now, it’s time for the answers to our quiz!

1. b) Collaboration and morale

2. c) Competence, consistency, and fairness

3. b) Full circle

Host Brian: And that’s a wrap! Don’t forget to download our free PDF vocabulary list for today’s episode—it’s packed with key words and phrases to help you master the topic.

Host Brian: Thank you for tuning in to ‘English on the Go,’ where you ‘Learn anywhere, speak everywhere.’ See you next time!

EXERCISE

EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks

Instruction: Listen to the conversation and fill in the blanks with the appropriate words

Anna: David, I think being liked is key in any setting, especially at work. When people like you, they’re more willing to collaborate, share ideas, and even go the extra mile. Wouldn’t you agree that teamwork (1)______ on mutual likability?

David: That’s one way to look at it, Anna, but I’d argue that (2)______ is the cornerstone of effective teamwork. Being liked is great, but it doesn’t guarantee trust in your abilities or decisions. Respect, however, ensures credibility and reliability.

Anna: That’s true, but don’t you think being liked can (3)______ to respect? When you show empathy and kindness, people naturally begin to trust and respect you over time. It creates a positive foundation for relationships.

David: I see your point, but I think respect is (4)______ through competence, consistency, and fairness. You might not always like your manager, especially if they’re making tough calls, but you’ll respect them if they’re fair and deliver results.

Anna: I hear you, but focusing solely on being respected could make a leader seem (5)______ or even unapproachable. If team members are afraid to speak up, that can stifle innovation and communication.

David: Absolutely, but the reverse is also risky. A manager obsessed with being liked might avoid enforcing (6)______ or addressing underperformance, which can hurt the team in the long run. Balance is what makes a leader truly effective.

Anna: Balance—exactly! A good leader should be approachable but (7)______ when it counts. And honestly, I think being liked lays the groundwork for better communication. What do you think about how these traits work in personal relationships?

David: That’s a great question. In personal relationships, I think being (8)______ often takes precedence. Respect is still important, but friendships are built on shared interests, humor, and likability. What about you?

Anna: I agree. Friendships thrive on being liked, but even there, respect plays a (9). For example, I had a friend who always made plans but never followed through. I liked them, but after a while, I lost respect for their reliability.

David: That’s a good example. And in the workplace, it’s kind of the opposite. Have you ever worked with someone you didn’t like (10) but respected professionally?

Anna: Yes, actually. I once worked with a manager who was very strict and a bit distant, but they were excellent at their (11). I learned a lot from them, even though we didn’t click socially.

David: Same here. When I first started managing a team, I had to make some tough decisions—like reassigning tasks and cutting down on unnecessary (12). Some people weren’t happy, but they respected me when they saw the results. It’s not easy, though.

Anna: No, it’s not. I’ve also had moments where I focused too much on being liked. For example, I avoided giving (13)______ feedback to a colleague because I didn’t want to hurt their feelings. It backfired when the project didn’t meet expectations.

David: That’s a tough lesson, but it shows why balance is crucial. Do you think there’s ever a situation where one is more (14)______ than the other?

Anna: Good question. I’d say it depends on the context. In a leadership role, respect might take (15)______ because it’s tied to trust and accountability. But in a social or collaborative setting, being liked can foster better teamwork and morale.

David: I couldn’t agree more. And maybe the real key is knowing when to (16)______ one over the other. It’s not about choosing between being liked or respected but understanding how to adapt to each situation.

Anna: Exactly. And (17)______ plays such a big role in that. You need to know how others perceive you and how your actions influence those perceptions.

David: Well said, Anna. I think we’ve come full circle on this. It’s not about being one or the other—it’s about striking the right (18)______ and being true to yourself in the process.

Anna: Couldn’t have said it better myself. Thanks for the great conversation, David—and for reminding me that respect and likability aren’t (19) ______!

David: And thank you, Anna, for sharing your insights. This was a fun and (20) ______ discussion!

________________________________________

EXERCISE 2: True, False, Not Given

Instruction: Read each statement carefully and mark it as True, False, or Not Given based on the conversation.

1. Anna believes being liked is essential for building teamwork at work.

2. David thinks being liked is more important than being respected in the workplace.

3. Anna agrees that being respected is earned through fairness and competence.

4. David says that a manager obsessed with being liked may struggle to enforce rules.

5. Anna argues that focusing solely on being respected makes a leader seem cold.

6. David feels that in personal relationships, being respected matters most.

7. Anna shares an example of losing respect for a friend who wasn’t reliable.

8. David admits that making tough decisions early in his career was easy for him.

9. Anna regrets avoiding giving constructive feedback to a colleague.

10. Both Anna and David agree that being liked and respected are mutually exclusive traits.

________________________________________

EXERCISE 3: Multiple Choice Questions

Instruction: Choose the correct answer for each question based on the conversation.

1. Why does Anna think being liked is important in the workplace?

a. It ensures trust in abilities

b. It fosters collaboration and sharing ideas

c. It guarantees innovation

d. It helps avoid tough decisions

2. According to David, what is the main benefit of being respected?

a. It helps you avoid making mistakes

b. It ensures credibility and trust

c. It builds better communication

d. It fosters likability

3. What does Anna believe can lead to respect over time?

a. Delivering results

b. Showing empathy and kindness

c. Enforcing rules

d. Focusing on fairness

4. What risk does David associate with a leader being too focused on likability?

a. They might seem distant or unapproachable

b. They could neglect enforcing rules or addressing underperformance

c. They would lose trust in their abilities

d. They might stifle innovation

5. What example does Anna give of respect being more important than likability?

a. A friend who always made plans but didn’t follow through

b. A manager who was distant but competent

c. A leader who balanced empathy and toughness

d. A friend who shared similar interests

6. How does David describe his early experiences as a manager?

a. He struggled with gaining likability

b. He had to make tough decisions that weren’t popular

c. He avoided giving feedback to his team

d. He built trust through kindness

7. What lesson does Anna share about avoiding constructive feedback?

a. It made her seem distant

b. It negatively impacted a project

c. It helped her build a stronger friendship

d. It earned her respect from her team

8. What do both Anna and David agree on about balancing likability and respect?

a. It’s impossible to achieve both

b. It requires adaptability and self-awareness

c. Being respected is always more important

d. Being liked is the foundation of leadership

9. How does Anna define the priority between being liked and respected in leadership?

a. Respect takes precedence because of trust and accountability

b. Likability is more important to foster morale

c. Both are equally important in all contexts

d. It depends on personal preference

10. What does David identify as the key to balancing being liked and respected?

a. Consistency in actions

b. Adapting to the situation

c. Emphasizing self-perception

d. Knowing when to prioritize likability

________________________________________

EXERCISE 4: Matching Information

Instruction:Match each phrase to the correct point made by the speakers (Anna or David) in the conversation.

Phrase Speaker

Being liked fosters better teamwork.

Respect ensures credibility and trust.

Empathy and kindness can lead to respect.

Competence and fairness earn respect.

Focusing only on respect can hinder communication.

Leaders who prioritize likability risk avoiding tough decisions.

Respect takes priority in leadership roles.

Likability is crucial for personal relationships.

Being distant but competent earns professional respect.

Balancing likability and respect is essential.

________________________________________

EXERCISE 5: Sentence Rearrangement

Instruction: Rearrange the jumbled sentences to form coherent statements related to the conversation.

1. likability / I / is / believe / important / communication / for / effective.

2. decisions / respected / competence / being / and / trust / depend / fairness / on.

3. can / unapproachable / focusing / make / respect / too / solely / on / someone.

4. projects / hurt / performance / neglecting / team / addressing / underperformance / can.

5. manager / respect / builds / on / credibility / a / delivers / and / results.

6. humor / liked / shared / is / relationships / on / built / interests / and.

7. focus / led / liked / mistakes / only / avoid / to / I / being / constructive / feedback.

8. balance / is / leadership / essential / in / for / effective / success.

9. plans / unreliable / leads / to / trust / breaking / losing.

10. respected / priorities / understanding / or / knowing / liked / when / is / to / crucial.

________________________________________

EXERCISE 6: Choose the Correct Word

Instruction: Fill in the blanks with the correct word from the options provided.

1. Being ______ (liked, respected, trusted) fosters collaboration and teamwork.

2. Respect is often tied to ______ (kindness, reliability, humor) and fairness.

3. Leaders who focus only on being liked may avoid ______ (decisions, rules, criticism).

4. Effective teamwork thrives on mutual ______ (likability, respect, competence).

5. In personal relationships, being ______ (respected, admired, liked) takes precedence.

6. Respect is ______ (earned, given, expected) through consistent actions and fairness.

7. Empathy and kindness can ______ (boost, damage, hinder) likability and trust.

8. A good leader knows how to ______ (balance, prioritize, choose) likability and respect.

9. Constructive feedback can help ______ (improve, avoid, harm) performance.

10. Self-awareness is key to ______ (influencing, avoiding, ignoring) perceptions.

________________________________________

EXERCISE 7: Sentence Reordering

Instruction: Put the sentences in the correct order to recreate a summary of the conversation.

1. Anna believes being liked fosters collaboration, teamwork, and communication.

2. David argues that respect builds credibility, trust, and long-term success.

3. Anna suggests that showing empathy and kindness can lead to respect.

4. David emphasizes that competence and fairness are essential for earning respect.

5. Both speakers agree that focusing only on one aspect (likability or respect) has risks.

6. Anna highlights that unapproachable leaders can stifle communication and innovation.

7. David notes that avoiding rules to be liked can harm team performance.

8. In personal relationships, Anna and David agree that being liked often takes precedence.

9. Anna shares an example of losing respect for a friend who broke trust.

10. Both speakers conclude that balance and self-awareness are critical for success.

________________________________________

EXERCISE 8: Paraphrasing Practice

Instruction: Rewrite each of the following statements from the conversation in your own words. Try to capture the same meaning but use different phrasing.

1. "When people like you, they’re more willing to collaborate, share ideas, and even go the extra mile."

2. "Respect, however, ensures credibility and reliability."

3. "Focusing solely on being respected could make a leader seem distant or even unapproachable."

4. "Friendships thrive on being liked, but even there, respect plays a role."

5. "It’s not about choosing between being liked or respected but understanding how to adapt to each situation."

________________________________________

EXERCISE 9: Opinion Writing

Instruction: Based on the conversation, write a brief paragraph (3-5 sentences) sharing your own opinion on whether being liked or respected is more important. Support your response with reasons.

________________________________________

Exercise 10: Word Match

Instructions: Match each term from the conversation with its correct definition.

Word/Phrase Definition

1. Cornerstone a. Easy to talk to or reach out to.

2. Empathy b. The quality of being trusted and believed in.

3. Credibility c. To admit or accept that something is true after first resisting it.

4. Stifle d. To suppress or hold back something, often creativity or expression.

5. Obsessed with e. To return to the original point or situation after a cycle of events.

6. Approachable f. To be overly focused on something.

7. Concede g. A fundamental part or basis of something.

8. Backfired h. Conscious knowledge of your own character, feelings, or actions.

9. Self-awareness i. The ability to understand and share someone else’s feelings.

10. Full circle j. To have the opposite effect of what was intended.

DOWNLOAD TRANSCRIP-EXERCISES

ANSWER KEY

EXERCISE 1: Fill in the Blanks

1. thrives

2. respect

3. lead

4. earned

5. distant

6. rules

7. firm

8. liked

9. role

10. personally

11. job

12. meetings

13. constructive

14. important

15. priority

16. prioritize

17. self-awareness

18. balance

19. mutually exclusive

20. thought-provoking

Exercise 2: True, False, Not Given

1. True

2. False

3. True

4. True

5. True

6. False

7. True

8. False

9. True

10. False

________________________________________

Exercise 3: Multiple Choice Questions

1. b. It fosters collaboration and sharing ideas

2. b. It ensures credibility and trust

3. b. Showing empathy and kindness

4. b. They could neglect enforcing rules or addressing underperformance

5. b. A manager who was distant but competent

6. b. He had to make tough decisions that weren’t popular

7. b. It negatively impacted a project

8. b. It requires adaptability and self-awareness

9. a. Respect takes precedence because of trust and accountability

10. b. Adapting to the situation

________________________________________

Exercise 4: Matching Information

Phrase Speaker

Being liked fosters better teamwork. Anna

Respect ensures credibility and trust. David

Empathy and kindness can lead to respect. Anna

Competence and fairness earn respect. David

Focusing only on respect can hinder communication. Anna

Leaders who prioritize likability risk avoiding tough decisions. David

Respect takes priority in leadership roles. Anna

Likability is crucial for personal relationships. David

Being distant but competent earns professional respect. Anna

Balancing likability and respect is essential. Both

Exercise 5: Sentence Rearrangement

1. I believe likability is important for effective communication.

2. Being respected depends on competence, decisions, and fairness.

3. Focusing solely on respect can make someone unapproachable.

4. Neglecting to address underperformance can hurt team projects.

5. A manager builds respect on credibility and delivers results.

6. Relationships are built on shared interests, humor, and being liked.

7. I avoided giving constructive feedback only to focus on being liked.

8. Balance is essential for effective leadership success.

9. Breaking plans leads to losing trust and reliability.

10. Knowing when to prioritize being liked or respected is crucial.

________________________________________

Exercise 6: Choose the Correct Word

1. Being liked fosters collaboration and teamwork.

2. Respect is often tied to reliability and fairness.

3. Leaders who focus only on being liked may avoid criticism.

4. Effective teamwork thrives on mutual likability.

5. In personal relationships, being liked takes precedence.

6. Respect is earned through consistent actions and fairness.

7. Empathy and kindness can boost likability and trust.

8. A good leader knows how to balance likability and respect.

9. Constructive feedback can help improve performance.

10. Self-awareness is key to influencing perceptions.

________________________________________

Exercise 7: Sentence Reordering

Correct Order: