I believe that “nice” people believe that they are taking the moral high road.  “Be nice, and then people will like you,” they might say.

However, I have found that being “nice” more often than not is gutless, manipulative, and a passive-aggressive power play of an amazing proportion.

It’s gutless because quite often a “nice” person doesn’t stand up straight and speak the truth – taking responsibility for their opinion.

It’s manipulative because how are you going to be mean (or even honest) to a “nice” person.  Their previous “niceness” just bought and paid for what they’re now asking you to do.

It’s a power play of an amazing proportion as you see in the poster.  When truth and “nice” collide within a “nice” person, “nice” always wins to the sacrificing of truth.

Leaders understand that when truthfulness and nice collide being called “nice” instead of truthful is never a compliment.

Click this link to watch an older Dr. Phil video that helps drives home this truth: https://vimeo.com/86654423

Categories: Assertiveness, Presentation Style, Sociability

Tags: assertiveness