#530 Why It Is More Important To Be Respected Than To Be Liked: Danny M Goldberg interviewed by Niels Brabandt

#530 Why It Is More Important To Be Respected Than To Be Liked: Danny M Goldberg interviewed by Niels Brabandt

From The Leadership Podcast by Niels Brabandt EMBA MBA / NB Networks by Niels Brabandt

June 3, 2026 · 11 min · Season 6 · Episode 530

About this episode

Niels Brabandt interviews Danny M Goldberg on the importance of being respected over being liked in leadership.

In this episode of the Niels Brabandt leadership podcast, Niels Brabandt interviews Danny M Goldberg on one of the most relevant leadership questions in modern business: is it more important to be liked, or to be respected? The conversation explores why kindness matters, but why kindness without boundaries can turn into people pleasing, overextension, and professional exploitation. Danny M Goldberg discusses how professionals can set boundaries, say no without becoming rude, and avoid losing their own priorities in the attempt to please everyone else. Niels Brabandt and Danny M Goldberg also examine a major leadership risk: the over-reliance on reliable people. When the most capable employees always receive the most urgent work, leaders may unintentionally reward competence with overload. This can damage performance, motivation, retention, and trust. This interview is particularly relevant for executives, founders, HR leaders, managers, team leads, and decision-makers who want to build a culture of respect, accountability, sustainable leadership, and healthier workplace boundaries. Key topics include leadership, respect, being liked versus being respected, boundaries at work…

People in this episode

Host: Niels Brabandt

Guest: Danny M Goldberg

Topics covered

  • leadership
  • respect
  • boundaries at work
  • workplace culture
  • sustainable leadership

Keywords

  • leadership
  • respect
  • kindness
  • boundaries
  • people pleasing
  • workplace culture
  • management behaviour

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