One might argue that a healthy corporate environment is one where someone is tracking dollars in and dollars out. In such an environment, an expensive employee

One might argue that a healthy corporate environment is one where someone is tracking dollars in and dollars out. In such an environment, an expensive employee who doesn't produce a lot of value over a period of time would be headed to the chopping block, whether they are respected or not. Companies don't run on respect, they run on profits. That said, I think in many situations what you say is true. Most people are not rational, even in a corporate context where you'd expect them to be. In those situations, being seen as a cool risk taker might be enough to keep your job.