Does how popular you were in high school affect how much money you make later in life?
...We then analyze the effect of the in-degree and out-degree of friendship on adult economic success as measured by each individual's level of earnings some 35 years later. While the out-degree (gregariousness) has no effect, we find a positive effect for in-degree (popularity). One additional friendship nomination in high school is associated with a 2 percent higher wage 35 years later. This is roughly equivalent to almost half the gain from an extra year of education. Shifting somebody from the bottom fifth to the top fifth of the school popularity distribution (in other words, turning a social reject into a star) would be predicted to yield him a 10 percent wage advantage. This work emphasizes the critical importance of the early development of social skills alongside cognitive and productive skills as a basis for economic success in adult life.
Source:"Popularity" from Institute for Social and Economics Research, No. 2009-03, February 2009
In terms of being friendly and popular there are still many things to be learned from the classic on the subject.
In terms of influencing others, check out my digest of things you didn't know about negotiation, persuasion and influence. As for books on the subject, Getting to Yes can teach you to be a good negotiator while still being a nice person. If you're less Jedi and more Sith, check out Jim Camp. Another seminal book on influence is here. I also recommend the author's more recent release Yes!: 50 Scientifically Proven Ways to Be Persuasive.
Related posts:
Does when you were born affect whether you'll be a great athlete?
Does the season of your birth affect how you sleep?
Can your name determine whether you're successful or not?
Can the season of your birth affect your future health and success?
What gets you better grades in high school: being good looking, well-groomed, or a nice personality?
Does being smart in high school = less sex?
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