Sometimes throughout your career, you’ll need to suck up your true feelings and smile. Being nice when you really don’t want to is no easy task; especially when it’s a Monday morning and your boss is barking out orders like there’s no tomorrow.
However, is being too nice actually good for your career? Or are you more likely to get further in your job if you’re ruthless? While a no-nonsense approach to your clients, customers or colleagues might be frowned upon in the working world, some argue that it can actually help to advance your career.
This brings us back to the age-old saying, ‘nice guys finish last’. But what is actually the right approach in the workplace?! This article will explore if there’s any truth behind this mantra, or whether being too nice will benefit your career in the future.
Being Nice Can Help Build Relationships
It’s true, you’re far more likely to forge strong bonds and working relationships if you’re nice to people. Why would your colleagues want to socialize with you or keep in touch after moving jobs if you continuously usurp them?
Having a solid network of professional contacts can have a positive impact on your career; both at work and further down the line. If you’re nice to your colleagues and provide valuable feedback, you’ll work better together. Plus, the quality of your work will improve. As well as this, you won’t have any trouble socializing with your co-workers both in the office and outside of it.
If your professional contacts remember you positively, this can open up plenty of career opportunities in the future. Maybe you and a colleague worked well together due to your honest approach, and now they’re referring you for a better paid, bigger job.
Sometimes it’s not all about what you know, but who you know. And one thing is certain, these possibilities won’t exist if you aren’t nice to your connections.
…But You May Get Walked Over
However, constantly being nice to your colleagues could potentially mean you get walked all over. For example, if you constantly take on extra tasks because you’re obsessed with making a good impression, this will only result in more people dumping work on you. As a result, your stress levels will rise and you’ll put yourself at serious risk of burnout.
At the same time, you’ll want to be careful of ruthlessly turning away your colleagues when they come to you for help. While it’s important to not take on more tasks and projects than you can handle, you should always try to help colleagues if they come to you in a crisis. This can help to build friendships and hone a particular skill you have into an expertise.
Ultimately, while it’s important to be nice and respectful to your manager and co-workers, if you physically can’t take on any more work then you should say ‘no’. For the good of your health and wellbeing.
Employers Want Staff They Can Trust
A big personality trait that employers look for in their staff is loyalty. They want employees who are keen to develop in their role at the company. So, if you’re nice to people then you’re far more likely to get recognized for your efforts. And this can put you in great shape for a promotion.
After all, why would an employer promote or look to hire a candidate that they don’t trust? Building an honest relationship with your employer is crucial if you want to upgrade your career. Not only will having this kind of mentor help to nurture and increase your potential, you’ll also secure far more opportunities too.
…But Might Not Take You Seriously
Conversely, some argue that you need to have a bit of bite about you at work. Especially if you wish to manage a team or progress to a senior position.
If your employer can’t count on you to make a tough decision because you don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, then they might overlook you for internal promotions.
Unfortunately, you can’t go your whole career without upsetting a few people. You’ll have to make some tough decisions on your way to the top; how you’re able to handle these with the company’s best interests in mind will determine how well you can progress.
If you aren’t able to make these tough decisions, your colleagues might not take you seriously. In some industries that require people to make cut-throat, quick decisions, you may not make the cut if you’re too concerned about treading on people’s toes.
So, Is Being Too Nice Good For Your Career?
What we’ve learnt so far is that a cold-hearted, self-centred employee is less likely to have a positive social life at work. You’re also bound to have fewer connections and possibly even less opportunities for progression.
What’s more, being a good Samaritan has far more positives than it does negatives. But the key to being a good employee and maximizing your career is by having a bit of both. Being nice all the time is just impossible!
Don’t shy away from hard decisions that you need to make. Your colleagues will appreciate it if you’re straight with them; as long as you do it respectfully. They should know that you always have your best intentions in mind for the business. Finding the perfect balance can be tricky, but you won’t regret it down the line.
