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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5 Words Smart Entrepreneurs Always Avoid

May 16, 2017 No Comments

We all have our quirks when it comes to language and nowhere is it more prominent than email. Because there is no body language, gesticulations, facial expressions, and attitude, we are left to find context, solely from the words we read. When you think about that for a moment, it’s a wonder that any business gets done from day-to-day. Ironically, just two years ago, a study conducted in the United Kingdom, surveying 2,500 office employees, revealed that an astounding 94 percent preferred email over telephones. It’s clear that email is our number one means of communication, and, because it’s become so commonplace, we don’t regard it in the same way as we do face-to-face encounters. Our demeanor, tone, and delivery differs greatly from email to spoken word. Since email is so important to business, you would think that it’s used in the utmost professional manner, but, it’s not. 5 Words Smart Entrepreneurs Always Avoid The fact is, we just don’t pay attention to what we’re writing most of the time. To many business professionals, it’s an informal method of communication, and, it’s closest cousin, texting, is even more relaxed (read: lazy). However, that’s simply not the case. Email is important, so much so, it can make all the difference. The words you type or tap are going to be read by someone else. That person or persons will not only read what’s in the message body, but read into the message itself. If you want to become more successful as an entrepreneur or in your career, you can start by making a habit of talking and thinking more like the people you know or read about who are already successful. —Entrepreneur Let that stir a moment and go back to the introduction. Since there’s no interpersonal communication, every word matters. This is why smart entrepreneurs are conscience about what they write, how it’s phrased, and what message is delivered. If you aren’t practicing the same discipline, you might be sending more than an email, you might be sending a message that you lack confidence, are somewhat lazy, or, unsophisticated. Here are the top five words you ought to avoid: Might. The word “might,” is generally used in different ways, but often, it’s meant to point out a possibility. When you use the word “might,” you are essentially communicating that you’re unsure. That’s okay in casual, social situations, but dangerous in business communication. Likely. When you use the word “likely,” you are making a very unsure prediction. What you’re really doing is opening wide and wild interpretation. Here again, use of this word in social and casual conversation is fine, but, when you’re using it in the business world, you’re telling the recipient that’s it’s unlikely you are in-the-know. Alot. First of all, this is not how the phrase is spelled–it’s two separate words, “a lot.” Because it’s run together so often, it’s become commonplace for people to write it incorrectly. It’s the reason the ampersand was dropped as the last letter of the alphabet. It used to be recited, ending with “x, y, z, and ‘and per se,’” which evolved into “ampersand.” If you write, “alot,” you’re taking a risk that the recipient won’t notice you don’t know this. Won’t. This is one of the best ways to ensure a negative vibe, along with a lot of frustration. While you’re being emphatic, you’re also demonstrating just how stubborn, or, unwilling you are in your ways of doing things. Usually. This is the opposite of the pithy directive delivered so often by the Joe Friday character from Dragnet. It tells the recipient that you don’t have all the facts, nor do you care. Here’s a bonus: “irregardless.” Though there are some who say that it’s fine to use, it’s just unnecessary. Instead, use “regardless.” And remember that communication is made up of words, tone and non-verbal communication. Based on multiple studies, non-verbal carries the largest percentage of influence in communication while words carry the least amount of influence. So, picking up the phone to use your words and tone is more effective than just text or e-mail. When it is possibly or efficient, use Skype or Google Video or an actual face to face conversation to communicate more effectively. Business gets done through trusted relationships, and these are built on solid communication which ultimately requires words, tone and non-verbal. Now go build your business with good communication. Who do you need to improve your communication with this month to grow your relationship, your business or career? Want to find out about what a business coach can do for you? [shareaholic app=”follow_buttons” id=”26833294″]

How Small Business Owners Can Stop Themselves from Rationalizing Bad Decisions

June 16, 2023 No Comments

Running a small business comes with its fair share of challenges, and one of the most critical aspects of success lies in making sound decisions. However, human nature often leads us to rationalize bad decisions, which can have detrimental effects on our companies. As a small business owner, it’s crucial to recognize and overcome this tendency to protect your business’s long-term viability and growth. So, let’s take a few moments to describe some effective strategies that entrepreneurs can use to prevent themselves from rationalizing bad decisions and safeguard their companies. How Small Business Owners Can Stop Themselves from Rationalizing Bad Decisions Okay, every small business owner makes bad decisions from time to time. But some owners are better at recognizing and correcting their mistakes than others. Here are a few tips for small business owners who want to stop themselves from rationalizing bad decisions and start making better ones: Be Aware of Your Biases We all have biases, and they can often lead us to make bad decisions. For example, we may be more likely to trust information that confirms our existing beliefs, or we may be more likely to make decisions that benefit us personally, even if they’re not in the best interests of our business. The first step to overcoming our biases is to be aware of them. Once we know what our biases are, we can start to challenge them and make more objective decisions. Conduct Thorough Research To avoid rationalizing poor decisions, it’s essential to gather as much information as possible before making choices that impact your business. Invest time in conducting thorough research, analyzing market trends, assessing customer needs, and evaluating potential risks. This data-driven approach will provide a solid foundation for decision-making and reduce the likelihood of rationalization based on incomplete or biased information. Get Input from Others Sometimes, the best way to avoid making a bad decision is to get input from others. This could include your employees, your customers, or even your friends and family. When you get input from others, you get a different perspective on the situation, which can help you to make a better decision. Set Clear Decision-Making Criteria Establishing clear decision-making criteria helps in maintaining objectivity and avoiding the temptation to rationalize bad choices. Before making any important decision, define the specific criteria that must be met for it to be considered valid. These criteria could include financial viability, alignment with long-term goals, or alignment with the company’s core values. By adhering to these pre-established criteria, you can prevent rationalization and maintain a strategic focus. Take Your Time Of course, you shouldn’t feel pressured to make a decision right away. Sometimes, the best decision is to wait and see how things develop. If you take your time and make a decision when you’re calm and collected, you’re less likely to make a mistake. Be Willing and Able to Change Your Mind Even if you’ve made a decision, be willing to change your mind if new information comes to light. It’s important to be flexible and adaptable, especially in an ever-changing business world. Let’s face it, most of the time, the biggest obstacle and the most harmful person in your way is typically the face in the mirror. All of us make bad decisions, even when we know better because it’s all too easy to rationalize in the moment. Additionally, it’s a good idea to build a culture of accountability within your business is crucial for preventing rationalization. Encourage your team members to take ownership of their decisions and actions, and create an environment where open and honest feedback is valued. Foster an atmosphere where mistakes are seen as learning opportunities rather than reasons for blame. When individuals feel accountable for their decisions, they are more likely to critically evaluate their choices and avoid rationalization. What other suggestions do you have other business owners can use to stop making rash decisions? Please, go ahead and comment so others can benefit from your input and perspective! Interested in learning more about business? Then just visit Waters Business Consulting Group to learn more about us and the services we offer.

The ‘Ghost Money’ Formula: How Small Businesses Can Hand Out Meaningful Annual Bonuses Without Draining the Bank

November 26, 2025 No Comments

Small businesses and bonuses aren’t synonymous. Such “lavish” gifts are associated with big companies and organizations with tons of employees, bringing in oversized profits. But there’s no denying the benefits of bonuses: increased motivation and productivity, improved morale and retention, and better alignment with company goals. However, small businesses often operate on small margins or moderate profits, making every expense count. So, how can a small company reap the benefits of giving employees bonuses when money is tight?