Nice employees finish last?

Nice guys finish last" has been one of the proverbs which have defined our lives in the modern age. First said by a frustrated American baseball coach Leo Durocher about his team Dodgers, it has been quite a truth in the big bad worlds of business, politics, sports and everything else. They make sense inside our offices too. We decided to introspect…

Anyone who has ever watched The Apprentice would know, that business is a tough game to play. Sometimes it may seem like getting some brownie points in the game requires putting your interests above those of others and capitalising on the misfortune of fellow workers.

But is it really true that nice guys finish last at work? Not likely.

COLLEAGUE CONNECT

Carrying a positive, friendly temperament can be as valuable a career asset for you as your loaded resume. In fact, a study published in the Harvard Business Review found that personal feelings toward an individual are more significant in the formation of productive work relationships than how competent the person is.

Your ability to connect with others is especially important as the business world becomes increasingly global and companies seek individuals who can collaborate with diverse teams of employees and outside contacts. It is no understatement that those who are pleasant and easy to get along with will have the greatest success in forming effective professional partnerships.

However, 'being nice' boils down to just a few key factors, including respecting the opinions of co-workers, offering to lend colleagues a hand when needed and being courteous in all of your interactions.

ARE YOU JUST 'NICE' OR A PUSHOVER?

If you nodded your head at the earlier point, you better know the difference between being nice and being a pushover. Take this: You may try very hard to be liked that you seem artful or, in times of uncertainty or transition, out of touch with reality. And some professional situations simply require you to take a stand, even if you'd prefer not to. Being overly accommodating also can cause you to shoulder a disproportionate amount of work, lose out on promotion opportunities and suffer from burnout. We spoke to a cross-section of Mumbai's office-goers and figured the following five situations where the difference between being nice and 'too nice' is slight yet significant. Which category do you most closely align with?

Situation No. 1

Being nice

Offering to stay late to help a colleague finish a project before he leaves on vacation. As a result, you build goodwill and increase the likelihood your co-worker lends you a hand when needed. Hopefully!

Being extra nice

Offering to stay late very regularly because you have a hard time telling colleagues that your plate is full. As a result, you are unable to achieve a healthy work/life balance and begin to burn out.

Situation No. 2

Being nice

Receiving shabash greetings from a satisfied client on a task well done and forwarding the message to those who worked on the project with you to let them know that everyone's effort was appreciated. As a result, the entire team gets a morale boost.

Being extra nice

Receiving kudos from a satisfied client on a job well done and giving all the credit to those on your team because you don't want to seem self-serving. As a result, your accomplishments go unnoticed and higher-ups do not realise the true value you bring to the firm.

Situation No.. 3

Being nice

Reviewing a new colleague's work and discussing the areas you would modify, explaining your reasoning behind each change. As a result, the new employee is able to produce better results next time.

Being extra nice

Reviewing a new colleague's work and making any necessary changes yourself to avoid potentially hurting his/her feelings. As a result, you take on more work, and the new employee is likely to turn in an assignment of similar quality the next time.

Situation No. 4

Being nice

Proposing a new idea during a meeting and acknowledging the input you received from another staff member. As a result, your immediate boss realises your contribution to company strategy and ability to collaborate with others on business solutions.

Being extra nice

Not opening your mouth during a meeting when someone else takes credit for your idea because you'd rather not make waves. As a result, your co-worker is rewarded for some khoon-pasina you have spent.

Situation No. 5

Being nice

After discovering a colleague gave you poor direction on a project, you take him aside to discuss strategies for avoiding similar confusion in the future. As a result, major mistakes can be averted in the future and other projects can be completed with more efficiency.

Being extra nice

After discovering a colleague gave you poor direction on a project, you say nothing to avoid making him feel bad and focus on how you can get better information on your own next time. As a result, you and your co-worker do not operate as a team, threatening the success of future 'joint venture' efforts.

Do nice employees finish last? Well, that's for you to decide, but gullible, hardworking employees surely finish last. Going out of your way to be helpful can only enhance your career prospects; but don't take the concept to the extreme. Nice does not mean letting people walk all over you. You need to be assertive and willing to stand up for yourself if you want to finish first.