I’m curious what your outlook is on being liked. Do you care what others think of you? I mean this especially in a work setting too where one might want to feel well liked and fun to be around.

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Yes, at work, I care what others think about me but it's strictly limited to situations in which their opinion: 1) impacts my career growth and 2) doesn't violate my personal boundaries and values. It's a natural part of group dynamics to be considerate of other people's opinions. As part of basic socialization, if someone can't reasonably compromise to accommodate other people, then they'll struggle with anything that requires interacting with other living and breathing human beings like working with other people, playing team sports, having friendships, or being in a romantic relationship.

I get this question often and reading between the lines the underlying question boils down to this: "how much should I change myself to be liked by a group of people vs. how much should I stay true to myself?"

The answer: Adapt to a group as much as you can naturally tolerate that's still aligned with your values.

If you and the group are too different in values and too far apart in social preferences-- then learn to live with the gap or find another group that's a better match. Note that it's exponentially more difficult to change a work culture (this requires changing the behaviors of hundreds, if not thousands, of people) than to change yourself (this requires adapting your preferences or removing yourself from the group). If you're an extreme introvert who dislikes social outings, then find a work culture that is highly introverted-- this is infinitely easier than trying to force an entire company of extraverts to cancel all social events and outings.

It seemed empty a hollow treat

A deep void inside of me

The hole which has something missing in its place

Along the way you rummage through memories

Its trash a complete accumulation of old nothings

Picking up pieces of names dames blue eyes and sunny games

In a pile so huge and deep there it was right before me

A beating fist of blue bleeding red

Its familiar to me it belongs in my chest

Of the time long past it was sucked up fast by a tornado of woe

Sorrow howls the falling muscle sings

Light melodies of innocent days

Plopped in the back with all the other names

Today I found a piece to my puzzle

But the whole centers missing So I start kissing

a bottle filled with sorrow