Yes, demeanor at work is important as it contributes to the overall work environment and can impact relationships with colleagues and superiors. However, its importance can vary across situations, contexts, and jobs. For instance, in customer$-$facing roles, a friendly demeanor can significantly enhance customer experience and satisfaction. In contrast, in roles that require intense concentration and minimal interaction, demeanor might not be as crucial. Emotional Intelligence $($EI$)$ plays a significant role in this situation. EI refers to the ability to understand and manage your own emotions, as well as those of the people around you. In a workplace setting, high EI can lead to better teamwork and more effective leadership. In this case, improving EI could help in understanding and managing the perceptions of senior executives. The supervisor could have provided more specific examples of situations where a more friendly demeanor could have been beneficial. They could also have offered suggestions on how to improve EI$,$ such as training or resources, rather than leaving it as an ambiguous task. In this situation, I would take the feedback constructively and work on improving my EI$.$ This doesn't necessarily mean changing who I am$,$ but rather learning how to better manage and express my emotions in a professional setting. This could involve seeking out resources or training on EI$,$ and making a conscious effort to be more approachable and friendly, especially around senior executives. This is because, ultimately, perceptions can impact career progression, and it's important to strike a balance between being professional and approachable.