Business Education

If You’re Too Nice, You’ll Hurt Your Business, Here’s Why

Just be nice. You’ve heard it from your mother. You heard it in kindergarten (and through school). It’s on tee-shirts and bumper stickers. And, it’s good advice, for the most part. But, it’s a recipe for disaster when it’s always your default disposition. Sure, you should be nice to people as it’s the polite thing to do. But, being too nice will cause all kinds of unintentional issues. Read on to see why.

How Assertiveness can Hurt You

On the flip side, being too assertive can also be quite harmful. Don’t get the wrong impression. You do need to be assertive, just at the right “temperature.” If you are too assertive, you’ll come across as overbearing. And, downright mean, in some situations. People also might think you too coarse and possibly aloof or antipathetic.

Leaders are placed under a tremendous amount of pressure to be relatable, human and … nice. Many yield to this instinct, because it feels much easier to be liked. Few people want to be the bad guy. But leaders are also expected to make the tough decisions that serve the company or the team’s best interests. Being too nice can be lazy, inefficient, irresponsible, and harmful to individuals and the organization. —Havard Business Review

Assertiveness can also be taken as overly self-serving. Basically, it’s an attitude that can easily come across the wrong way in more ways than one. Although, assertiveness does have a purpose and when it’s used strategically, it’s highly effective. That’s because striking a balance gives you the best of both worlds and a positive perspective. Which ultimately helps you to see things more clearly and make better decisions.

Top Ways being Too Nice is Harmful

Conversely, being too nice, is at best, problematic. It creates illusions that simply can’t be sustained. In essence, it’s a false impression, even if you’re being genuine. How? Well, here’s how being too nice is harmful in business:

You project weakness. When you’re overly nice, you’re perceived as a pushover. It’s that simple. People who have this impression will try to take advantage, when and where they can. And, that sets-up a bad scenario.
You attract the wrong people. Another problem with being too nice is that it does attract the wrong sort of people. Some others will take this as a green light to burden you with their own problems. Which means, you’re inviting unnecessary stress and drama into your life.
People might feel distrustful. Niceness can bring out negative feelings in others you interact with. For instance, someone could sense you’re actually concealing your true feelings and merely putting up a front. So, they manifest a sense of distrustfulness.
You bias your own expectations. When you’re constantly nice, you might make others feel better. But, you’re also inadvertently warping your own expectations, thinking everyone else should treat you the same.

How do you balance being courteous and polite with also being assertive? What other advice would you offer? Please share your thoughts and experiences!

Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

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How to Know When You’re Ready to Become Your Own Boss

May 24, 2017 No Comments

Everyone knows there’s risk involved starting a new business. Even though the wheel isn’t being reinvented, carving out market share is hard work. Most people like the comfort and security of having a job. The problem with this notion is the fact that it’s only an illusion. There’s just no guarantee the company won’t go out of business, downsize, or, require relocation. Still, these are not enough to motivate many people to take the initiative to go into business for themselves. It’s a fact: being an employee is far different from being an employer. However, there are people with dreams, visions, and, full of entrepreneurial spirit. You might be one, wanting to be your own boss, but, you’re unsure whether or not the time is right. How to Know when You’re Ready to become Your Own Boss There are many reasons to start a business, but, it’s often the case you can talk yourself out of enterprising with a few justifications. You might justify not to strike out because owning your own company makes your customers your boss. It could be that you’re uncertain about taking out a business loan. Perhaps you aren’t comfortable with managing employees without a corporate structure to back you. Thinking about starting a new business? Running a company can be an amazing adventure, and it can even give you more security than a regular day job. Being your own boss may sound like heaven on earth, but what you have to remember is that it’s still a lot of hard work. It’s easy to feel ready much earlier than you actually are, and it’s equally easy to let fear hold you back long after you should have jumped. —Entrepreneur.com Maybe you just aren’t ready to take-on a full-time venture without the guarantee of income. There’s no doubt about it, starting a new business is a challenge, but it’s not insurmountable. If you really have the urge to start your own business, you’re probably wondering how to know when it’s time, and, if you’re ready to become your own boss. Well, the following signs are great indicators that you’re ready to start your own business: You’ve done more than just think about it. If you’ve been running scenarios in your head, done long calculations, looked into costs, and, done market research, you are definitely readying yourself to start a new company. Putting time and effort into due diligence means you have more than just a little curiosity. Chances are excellent you want other qualifiers to substantiate going into business for yourself. You’re ready to take a measurable risk. Researching the market and running numbers means that you’re already looking for potential risks and rewards. You are investing your energy to be educated about costs and revenue. What’s more, if you’ve studied the competition and know the industry, you’ve likely identified pitfalls and where improvements can be made. You know your strengths and weaknesses. This goes right along with the first two indicators because it means that you’re accepting you have certain weaknesses and can do something about them. Knowing your strengths and weaknesses also means that you understand where you’ll need help and where you can take charge. You are ready to earn money on your own. If you’ve troubled by the fact you’re relying on someone else for your income, you’re definitely not alone. What you should know is that successful entrepreneurs do not usually hate their jobs, or, their bosses. Instead, they know their own potential isn’t being unleashed and want to strike out on their own. You want to build something for your family. Building a business and leaving a legacy is something that every entrepreneur envisions. It’s usually one of their biggest motivations for starting a new company. If you have this inclination, it’s time to start exploring the possibilities. If you’re still unsure about being your own boss, you don’t have to take a giant leap. Instead, you can start part-time and grow it incrementally. It often doesn’t require a lot of upfront capital to start a new business, just an actionable plan and a focused vision with a commitment to your dream and strong determination to pursue your dream relentlessly every day. Want to find out about what a business coach can do for you? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

How to Deal with a Business Partnership that’s Going Bad

July 6, 2023 No Comments

Business partnerships are often formed with high hopes and mutual goals. However, sometimes partnerships encounter challenges and start to go sour. Dealing with a failing business partnership can be emotionally and professionally challenging, but it’s essential to address the issues head-on and explore potential solutions. How to Deal with a Business Partnership that’s Going Bad Since this is such an important issue, we’ll provide some advice on how to navigate a deteriorating business partnership, including strategies to address problems and steps to take if the partnership cannot be salvaged. Communication is key. Effective communication is the foundation for resolving issues in a failing business partnership. Schedule a dedicated meeting to openly discuss concerns, frustrations, and areas of disagreement. Allow each party to express their thoughts and actively listen to understand the other’s perspective. Create a safe and respectful environment that encourages honest dialogue and promotes problem-solving rather than blame. Identify the root causes. To address the problems in your partnership, it’s crucial to identify the underlying causes. Pinpoint specific issues or challenges that are affecting the partnership’s success. These may include differing visions, incompatible work styles, misaligned goals, or a lack of trust. By identifying the root causes, you can develop targeted strategies to overcome or mitigate them. Seek mediation or professional help. If communication alone doesn’t resolve the issues, consider engaging a neutral third party, such as a mediator or business consultant, to facilitate constructive discussions. A skilled mediator can help navigate difficult conversations, find common ground, and offer unbiased guidance. Additionally, seeking advice from an experienced business coach or consultant can provide an objective perspective and help identify strategies to improve the partnership dynamics. Renegotiate terms and roles. If the partnership is salvageable, it may be necessary to renegotiate the terms and roles to address the identified issues. This could involve revisiting the partnership agreement, clearly defining responsibilities, and setting realistic expectations. It’s crucial to find a compromise that considers the needs and aspirations of both parties, ensuring a fair and balanced arrangement moving forward. Establish a clear communication and conflict resolution protocol. To prevent future conflicts or misunderstandings, establish a clear communication and conflict resolution protocol within the partnership. Define guidelines for regular check-ins, decision-making processes, and conflict resolution mechanisms. This creates a framework for addressing issues promptly and constructively, fostering a healthier partnership dynamic. Consider an amicable dissolution. Despite efforts to resolve the issues, there may be instances where the partnership is no longer viable. In such cases, it’s important to consider an amicable dissolution. Evaluate the financial and legal implications of ending the partnership and consult with an attorney if necessary. Develop a plan to separate assets, liabilities, and ongoing responsibilities in a fair and equitable manner. Learn from you experience and move on. If the partnership fails, it’s essential to view it as a learning experience and an opportunity for growth. Reflect on the lessons learned, including the warning signs that led to the partnership’s deterioration. Take the knowledge gained and apply it to future endeavors, ensuring better decision-making and partner selection processes moving forward. Dealing with a failing business partnership can be challenging, but addressing the issues directly and honestly is crucial to finding a resolution. Effective communication, identification of root causes, seeking professional help if needed, renegotiating terms, and establishing clear protocols can potentially salvage a partnership. However, if the partnership cannot be salvaged, an amicable dissolution may be the best option. Remember to learn from the experience and use it as a stepping stone for future business endeavors. Ultimately, the key is to prioritize open communication, respect, and the long-term success of all parties involved. What other suggestions do you have for dealing with a business partnership that’s going bad? Please take a moment or two to comment with your own thoughts and experiences so others can benefit from your perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

How to Tell Your Employees You’ve Fired Someone

April 30, 2018 No Comments

How do you tell your employees you’ve fired someone? The topic makes most entrepreneurs very uncomfortable. But, there are certain situations which call for this type of action. Previously, we’ve talked about how to fire someone. However, what happens thereafter? It’s not like people won’t notice he or she is gone. So, how do you deal with remaining employees in a way that moves your company forward? The truth is, there is no such thing as a perfect transition. However, there are ways to make it go smoother. Signs it’s Time to Terminate an Employee Before you do take the final step of termination, you should be totally sure it’s the only recourse. For instance, a team member who consistently drags down productivity (and, won’t take steps to correct their behavior). Or, an employee who drains morale or constantly stirs-up drama are also toxic — don’t let your organization suffer unnecessarily. Also, an employee who is apathetic doesn’t care about their work product or customers isn’t worth keeping around. One thing we know about human nature is that when there’s a mystery, people will solve it themselves: They make up the ending, and it’s almost always worse than reality. And that’s the problem–if you don’t tell people why, they’ll make up why. And the wrong why is almost always destructive. Information vacuums fill with rumors, and rumors lead to anxiety. —Inc.com Then, there’s the serial rule violator. Someone who just refuses to play by the rules. It’s time to stop banging your head against the wall and do your business a favor. These situations are typically the most disruptive and harmful to a company. How to Tell Your Employees You’ve Fired Someone Now, if it’s time to let a team member go, you’ll have to navigate your employees through a weird experience. Here are some helpful suggestions for how to tell your employees you have fired someone: Make a simple announcement. Convene a meeting or send out a memo. Simply state, “Bob no longer works here. Our transition steps are 1, 2, and 3. If you have any questions, please see Sue.” That’s it. Straightforward and to the point. Don’t share details or communicate negatively. After terminating an employee, the human temptation is to share your reasons for the termination in order to rationalize your decision. And, sometimes this leads to making negative comments about the terminated employee. Do not fall into this trap! Be a leader. Otherwise, any other communication is destructive and deteriorates your culture and you lose respect with your existing employees. Don’t tolerate rumors. Rumors are inevitable in these situations. Keep your ears open and if you hear one, nip it in the bud. Be polite but direct and firm. Do not let rumors become a distraction. Give people a chance to step-up. Since there’s an open position, you can ask who is willing to step-in and fill the void. This is a great chance to see which team members are the most eager and loyal. Seize the opportunity. This is likewise an opportunity to reset the company narrative. You might want to take it in a different direction or get back to fundamentals. Whatever change you’d most like to make, now is a prime opportunity. How do you tell your staff you’ve let someone go? What other suggestions do you have for these situations? Please share your thoughts by commenting! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group.

If You’re Too Nice, You’ll Hurt Your Business, Here’s Why

How Assertiveness can Hurt You

Top Ways being Too Nice is Harmful

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Related Posts

How to Know When You’re Ready to Become Your Own Boss

How to Deal with a Business Partnership that’s Going Bad

How to Tell Your Employees You’ve Fired Someone

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