the sad thing is, it didn't work for him. he alienated everyone in the company, so many of whom ultimately decided they'd had enough and left that an entire off

the sad thing is, it didn't work for him. he alienated everyone in the company, so many of whom ultimately decided they'd had enough and left that an entire office was closed down and the one or two remaining people transferred elsewhere. as for taking likability too far, being liked doesn't involve being a pushover, or not making hard calls. your subordinates aren't idiots; they know that sometimes being the boss involves requiring people to do things they are disinclined to, and letting people who aren't performing or making too many mistakes know in no uncertain terms that there is a problem that needs addressing. but the manner in which you do it makes a world of difference. getting in people's faces and yelling at the top of your voice, or harping on for ages about every minor screwup, isn't "getting things done", even if it may provide the immediate illusion of having taken care of the problem.