As defined by Dictionary.com, likable means: readily or easily liked; pleasing. Nice has several definitions, but those that are relevant to this topic are:

2. amiably pleasant; kind
7. refined in maners, language, etc.
8. virtuous; respectable; decorous
9. suitable or proper

Merriam-Webster defines likable as "having qualities that bring about a favorable regard - pleasant, agreeable". Nice, again, had several definitions:

5a. pleasing; agreeable
5c. appropriate, fitting
6a. socially acceptable
6b. virtuous, respectable
7. polite, kind

Most people in the corporate world are in agreement that the two may be similar but they are definitely NOT interchangeable. And of those people who see them as different, most believe that it's far better to work with someone who's likable than with someone who's nice.

"Being nice to me implies you want to try to help others without expecting anything in return, and may be taken advantage of," said Lisa Hill of Ed Tech Product Reviews. She sees someone likable as someone who is "willing to help others but expecting to be respected and appreciated."

Angela Watson of OrangePurpleSilver, sees things this way, "Likable to me means being able to get along with most folks in the work environment, having a sense of humor ... nice means smiling to your face and talking about you behind your back."

Well, that's encouraging.

On the other side of the equation, there were people who believe it's better to be nice because likability is a skill, not a personality trait, and they perceive likable people as insincere.

"As a business owner, I would rather have someone who is nice first," said Rashelle LeCaptain, president of Connecting Cultures. "I think many people can make themselves likable, but that doesn't mean they're nice. In a professional setting, kindness will foster likability."

Writing consultant Tiffani Murray, corporate trainer, Jana Samulski, and Goodrich Communications principal, Jason Goodrich, all agree that being likable is preferable to being nice because, "a nice person is furniture" and "a likable person helps you out," said Goodrich.

"Nice people are not seen as leaders, but rather as doers," said Murray. She went on to explain that bad news goes down better when it comes from a likable person than from a nice person, the presumption being that if you're nice, you shouldn't do or say anything EVER that others might find unpleasant.

Samulski's take is a little more pragmatic. "In the corporate world, where the bottom line often dictates the climate and environment of the company, management needs to distinguish the difference between being sweet (nice) and strong and respected (likable).

Because their definitions are so similar, there are still some people, like publicist, Miriam Silverberg, who believe that nice and likable, if not synonymous, at least go hand-in-hand.

"Nobody likes someone who's not nice," said Silverberg. "Being nice is part of being likable. People like you because you're nice. I've always found it works that way."

Score one for the nice folks!

It's clear that for many people, being likable is a much smarter career move than being nice. The majority consensus seems to be that if a person is nice, he's either weak or fake - Heaven forbid he both weak and fake. People like Silverberg, who see being nice as an integral part of being likable appear to be in the minority.