I believe there’s an expectation that our leaders will be effective. So what happens if you have a leader who’s nice but ineffective? The leader has to change their behavior to become effective. Sometimes along the way, people perceive that as no longer being nice. And can subsequently lose the likability factor.

We’re drawing distinctions between nice and likable. I wonder how many people do that. Or how many say, “I like you because you’re nice.”

Being straightforward isn’t necessarily “not nice.” You can be a no nonsense supervisor or manager who also employs tact, compassion and understanding. Oprah Winfrey, for instance, is often referred to as nice. But I’ll bet she’s straightforward with people when necessary.

As Haun said, nice is a character trait and likability is a skill. The fact that likability can be taught, doesn’t automatically mean that likable people are phonies who turn charm on and off at will. For some people, being likable is a part of their character makeup. It’s just the way they are.

I have to agree with Kris that women get maligned when they exhibit strength in the workplace. Martha Stewart, for example, might not be referred to as nice, but she certainly seems likable. Some people have called her something of the five-letter variety, which comes as no surprise.

Although the two words aren’t necessarily synonymous, they’re not necessarily mutually exclusive either.
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http://www.hrbartender.com/2009/employee/being-likable-isnt-nice-and-other-subtle-manipulations/