What’s so Wrong with Being Nice?

Most managers it would rather be nice than be truthful. Why? It’s easy and we want people to feel good and like us. The problem with this is that when we’re nice instead of honest, we’re actually hurting them in the end.

Would you rather be given honest direct feedback in the moment so you could understand how others see you? Or would you rather be told you’re doing well and then find out 2 months from now that thing you thought was good was actually pretty bad and is hurting your reputation? The answer is pretty obvious here but human nature seems to pull people to be nice instead of truthful.

To me, honest leadership is key to being a good leader, mentor and manager and something that I think can be pretty powerful in helping people and teams grow.