---
title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I don't go into management to be liked."
description: "\"I don't go into management to be liked.\" — Steve Bruce"
image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg"
---

#  I don't go into management to be liked.

![“I don't go into management to be liked.” quote by Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg)   [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg)

> “I don't go into management to be liked.”

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

## About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

The manager emphasizes that his role is to lead, not to seek personal popularity among staff.

**In simple terms:** Management is about leadership, not being liked.

Key Takeaway

Focus on performance, not approval.

Themes

leadership management professionalism

Mood

pragmatic direct

Type

professional advisory

When to use this quote

- corporate settings
- sports teams
- project groups
- nonprofits

Key Concepts

organizational behavior authority team dynamics

Questions to Reflect On

- How do you balance respect and likability?
- When is it okay to be liked?

A Different Perspective

Popularity can undermine authority if overemphasized.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★   No ratings yet

[Don Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/don-management-5389708/) [Go](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/) [Liked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/liked/) [Management](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management/) [Management Liked](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/management-liked-4936220/)

## Related quotes

> [People often ask why I left CNN - I didn't like management. I liked my colleagues in the news gathering but the corporate culture…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/greta-van-susteren/people-often-ask-why-i-left-cnn-i-didn-t-like-management-i-liked-my/)

[Greta Van Susteren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/greta-van-susteren/)

> [I've been fortunate enough to have some big games as both a player and a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-been-fortunate-enough-to-have-some-big-games-as-both-a-player/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [For me, I go Ronaldo. Growing up I've always liked the way he's done things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/reece-james/for-me-i-go-ronaldo-growing-up-i-ve-always-liked-the-way-he-s-done/)

[Reece James](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/reece-james/)

> [I don't know how it is now but the assistant stage manager had to understudy several parts. You had to be ready to go…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/glenn-ford/i-don-t-know-how-it-is-now-but-the-assistant-stage-manager-had-to/)

[Glenn Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/glenn-ford/)

> [I've always liked Dzeko - he's a champion.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alvaro-morata/i-ve-always-liked-dzeko-he-s-a-champion/)

[Alvaro Morata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alvaro-morata/)

> [“One day I wandered away from her and hid. I liked the way it felt to have someone look for me, to hear my…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonathan-safran-foer/one-day-i-wandered-away-from-her-and-hid-i-liked-the-way-it-felt-to/)

[Jonathan Safran Foer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonathan-safran-foer/)

> [Women liked me because I made them laugh.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-rooney/women-liked-me-because-i-made-them-laugh/)

[Mickey Rooney](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-rooney/)

> [All my way through college, I worked my way as a window dresser for Lord &amp; Taylor, so I always liked fashion. I always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joan-rivers/all-my-way-through-college-i-worked-my-way-as-a-window-dresser-for/)

[Joan Rivers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joan-rivers/)

> [I've always been interested in socially political, or overtly political, comedy. And I guess I've always liked to channel some kind of personal element…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-oliver/i-ve-always-been-interested-in-socially-political-or-overtly/)

[John Oliver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-oliver/)

> [I liked climbing trees and could often be found up one reading a book. I played games with Dad and drew maps for him…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rhianna-pratchett/i-liked-climbing-trees-and-could-often-be-found-up-one-reading-a-book/)

[Rhianna Pratchett](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rhianna-pratchett/)

> [I realized I couldn't be a journalist because I like to take a side, to have an opinion and a point a view; I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/annie-leibovitz/i-realized-i-couldn-t-be-a-journalist-because-i-like-to-take-a-side/)

[Annie Leibovitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/annie-leibovitz/)

> [I never liked Hans Christian Andersen because I knew he was always getting at me.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/j-r-r-tolkien-2/i-never-liked-hans-christian-andersen-because-i-knew-he-was-always/)

[J. R. R. Tolkien](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/j-r-r-tolkien-2/)

> [I liked Cats as a kid, now its hard to say. I dont live in New York anymore so dont see so many.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/katherine-moennig/i-liked-cats-as-a-kid-now-its-hard-to-say-i-dont-live-in-new-york/)

[Katherine Moennig](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/katherine-moennig/)

> [I was a very good student. Procrastinating gives me anxiety, and getting a B really ticked me off. Sure, I didn't always want to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/josie-loren/i-was-a-very-good-student-procrastinating-gives-me-anxiety-and/)

[Josie Loren](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/josie-loren/)

> [I would have done well as a gypsy child, I think. A circus baby. I coulda played a great street urchin or ragamuffin. Or…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/natasha-lyonne/i-would-have-done-well-as-a-gypsy-child-i-think-a-circus-baby-i/)

[Natasha Lyonne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/natasha-lyonne/)

## More by Steve Bruce

> [I've been fortunate enough to have some big games as both a player and a manager.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-been-fortunate-enough-to-have-some-big-games-as-both-a-player/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [He’s a fantastic talent and the complete footballer, probably the most coveted in the Premiership. It’s a privilege for the rest of us to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/he-s-a-fantastic-talent-and-the-complete-footballer-probably-the-most/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I have not got a CV like Rafa, few do.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-have-not-got-a-cv-like-rafa-few-do/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [When I was younger, I was a bit awkward to work for, hence why I had about five clubs in two years. I was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/when-i-was-younger-i-was-a-bit-awkward-to-work-for-hence-why-i-had/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I've got the utmost respect for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-got-the-utmost-respect-for-mauricio-pochettino-at-tottenham/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [From a playing or managing point of view relegation is a blot on your CV that you don't want, but you have to live…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/from-a-playing-or-managing-point-of-view-relegation-is-a-blot-on-your/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [You have to be as truthful as you possibly can. That's always been my philosophy.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/you-have-to-be-as-truthful-as-you-possibly-can-that-s-always-been-my/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I accept I am not everyone's cup of tea, but judge me over a period of time.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-accept-i-am-not-everyone-s-cup-of-tea-but-judge-me-over-a-period-of/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [Alan Shearer is a friend of mine and he is entitled to his opinions.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/alan-shearer-is-a-friend-of-mine-and-he-is-entitled-to-his-opinions/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [You do get labelled in the game, and that's why I enjoyed my time managing in the Championship. I'd back myself against most people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/you-do-get-labelled-in-the-game-and-that-s-why-i-enjoyed-my-time/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I'm delighted and incredibly proud to be appointed as head coach of Newcastle United.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-delighted-and-incredibly-proud-to-be-appointed-as-head-coach-of/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [Management, whether you're managing in the lower division or you're right at the top, is about getting the best out of what you've got.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/management-whether-you-re-managing-in-the-lower-division-or-you-re/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I'm a Newcastle lad, so to be manager is every Geordie's dream.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-a-newcastle-lad-so-to-be-manager-is-every-geordie-s-dream/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I'm always sad to see a manager go.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-m-always-sad-to-see-a-manager-go/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

> [I've said it for a long time that Aston Villa is a special club.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-ve-said-it-for-a-long-time-that-aston-villa-is-a-special-club/)

[Steve Bruce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

[Explore all 107 Steve Bruce quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/)

## More Go quotes

> [One is a painter because one wants so-called freedom; one doesn't want to go to the office every morning.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marcel-duchamp/one-is-a-painter-because-one-wants-so-called-freedom-one-doesn-t-want/)

[Marcel Duchamp](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marcel-duchamp/)

> [I love going to Columbia, Missouri. That is a really underrated campus. It shocked me when I went there because I really didn't know…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kirk-herbstreit/i-love-going-to-columbia-missouri-that-is-a-really-underrated-campus/)

[Kirk Herbstreit](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kirk-herbstreit/)

> [Intel has a very complete process that I go through any time I want to sell that ensures I have no insider information.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brian-krzanich/intel-has-a-very-complete-process-that-i-go-through-any-time-i-want/)

[Brian Krzanich](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brian-krzanich/)

> [Some shows just go away - and that's fine. They serve their purpose and their entertainment value, but there are shows that touch people…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-cudlitz/some-shows-just-go-away-and-that-s-fine-they-serve-their-purpose-and/)

[Michael Cudlitz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-cudlitz/)

> [Unfortunately, we all go through bad phases.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/sushmita-sen/unfortunately-we-all-go-through-bad-phases/)

[Sushmita Sen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/sushmita-sen/)

> [I go out there and I work.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nick-chubb/i-go-out-there-and-i-work/)

[Nick Chubb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nick-chubb/)

> [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/)

[Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/)

> [Whether it was Little League or playing with your brothers or sisters, that was always a problem. If I would lose - because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cal-ripken-jr/whether-it-was-little-league-or-playing-with-your-brothers-or-sisters/)

[Cal Ripken, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cal-ripken-jr/)

> [I always say if you put someone from a small town into a big city for ten years, then when they go back, they'll…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mike-colter/i-always-say-if-you-put-someone-from-a-small-town-into-a-big-city-for/)

[Mike Colter](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mike-colter/)

> [Racism is a cancer. You cannot ignore it and it'll go away. If you ignore cancer, it simply metastasizes and consumes the whole body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daryl-davis/racism-is-a-cancer-you-cannot-ignore-it-and-it-ll-go-away-if-you/)

[Daryl Davis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daryl-davis/)

> [I just think my own ambition would not allow me to sit on the gifts that my creator had given me. And so that's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/janelle-monae/i-just-think-my-own-ambition-would-not-allow-me-to-sit-on-the-gifts/)

[Janelle Monae](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/janelle-monae/)

> [As much as you want to improve or help the team, as a centre-back your job is to go under the radar and keep…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tyrone-mings/as-much-as-you-want-to-improve-or-help-the-team-as-a-centre-back-your/)

[Tyrone Mings](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tyrone-mings/)

> [I don't know what successful journaling really looks like... I think it really does look so different for everyone who does it, I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-don-t-know-what-successful-journaling-really-looks-like-i-think-it/)

[Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/)

> [“Everywhere is home, let is go home”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dzuco-hu-nh/everywhere-is-home-let-is-go-home/)

[Dzuco Huỳnh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dzuco-hu-nh/)

> [I turn a lot of stuff down - big, big movies, the kind I wouldn't want to go to the cinema to see.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/matthew-fox/i-turn-a-lot-of-stuff-down-big-big-movies-the-kind-i-wouldn-t-want-to/)

[Matthew Fox](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/matthew-fox/)

[Browse all 23,138 Go quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/go/)

```json
{
    "@context": "https://schema.org",
    "@graph": [
        {
            "@type": "Quotation",
            "text": "I don't go into management to be liked.",
            "creator": {
                "@type": "Person",
                "name": "Steve Bruce"
            },
            "isPartOf": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website"
            },
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked/",
            "about": {
                "@type": "Thing",
                "name": "Go"
            },
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked/#quotation",
            "image": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg",
                "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/5cd/steve-bruce-4727_go_i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked-3_3103530.jpg",
                "width": 1080,
                "height": 1080,
                "caption": "“I don't go into management to be liked.” — Steve Bruce",
                "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
                "creator": {
                    "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
                }
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "BreadcrumbList",
            "itemListElement": [
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 1,
                    "name": "Home",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 2,
                    "name": "Quotes",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 3,
                    "name": "Steve Bruce",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-bruce/"
                },
                {
                    "@type": "ListItem",
                    "position": 4,
                    "name": "I don't go into management to...",
                    "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked/"
                }
            ],
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-bruce/i-don-t-go-into-management-to-be-liked/#breadcrumb"
        },
        {
            "@type": "WebSite",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "publisher": {
                "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization"
            }
        },
        {
            "@type": "Organization",
            "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization",
            "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes",
            "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/",
            "logo": {
                "@type": "ImageObject",
                "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png",
                "width": 512,
                "height": 512
            }
        }
    ]
}
```
