Nothing Wrong With Nice

By Tommy Leung on 07/07/2010 in Life, Marketing

One of my favorite books is The Power of Nice. In fact, it’s fundamental to how I am–another fundamental book is Whatever You Think Think The Opposite. There is a stigma associated with being nice. As if being nice is bad for you. A commonly known saying is that nice guys finish last. I beg to differ.

And this isn’t just a matter for guys. There’s a popular book titled Nice Girls Don’t Get The Corner Office. I haven’t read the book but, the title pushes the idea that being nice is a negative.

I think the problem lies in how we define “nice”. That word has been used to describe me countless times at countless ages. I’ve heard it a bit often recently. And it’s probably true, I am nice.

But then, there’s those who are “nice”.

There are people who are “nice” because they want something from you. I never want anything from you. Whatever I do, I do it because I want to do it. No strings.

There are people who are “nice” because they have no opinions of their own. They’ll do whatever you say. They aren’t nice, they are weak. I’m thoroughly opinionated and possibly hardheaded. I’ll listen and try to understand where you are coming from but, I will not change my mind simply because you don’t like my point of view. Tough luck.

There are people who are “nice” because they want to known as being nice. They are about as fake as it gets. They are nice and cheery on the outside and plotting your demise on the inside. They’ll resent doing that favor for you but, show you nothing but smiles while doing it.

Who would like to deal with any one of these “nice” people in business or in personal relationships? Let’s be honest, no one likes a con-man, a push-over, or a fake. Whether they want to disguise themselves behind a veil of “nice” is irrelevant. They aren’t what they seem.

There are the truly nice. The truly good. Those who do good things because it’s a good thing to do. Those who believe in themselves and are perfectly okay with others disagreeing. Those who will tell you like it is because that’s what it is. They won’t con you, bore you, or lie to you.

And they do get ahead. In every aspect and with a clear conscience.

By Tommy Leung