Research shows that popular employees are more likely to get hired, promoted and earn larger salaries. Sounds like high school, doesn't it?
But it depends on the kind of popularity you have that could help or hinder you. Status-seeking behavior, which is geared toward gaining social power and attention, often leads to loneliness and relationship problems. You don't want that.
Instead, work on your likeability, which involves making others feel valued. Those with high levels of likeability are less likely to experience problems with addiction, anxiety and depression. So, listen when people talk to you...smile...say hi in the halls.
Think of it like this: you're not going for likes and retweets. You're going for people to like YOU! It's like the Kardashians vs. Sandra Bullock or Reese Witherspoon. The Kardashians have a lot of followers, but are they liked? Not really. They were the mean girls in school. But Sandra and Reese are the ones people liked in school (both guys AND girls), that people wanted to hang out with. THAT is the kind of popularity you want to go for.
(BBC) Photo: Getty/Caiaimage/Robert Daly