• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Adam Kirk Smith

- A. Smith Blog - Leadership in Life

  • About Adam
  • The Bravest You
  • Blog
    • Leadership
      • Creativity
    • Communication
    • Relationships
    • Focus
  • Podcasts & Video
    • Podcast: Live Life with Purpose
    • Podcast: Ideas with Adam Smith
    • asmithvideo
  • Coaching & Consulting
  • Speaking

be nice

Be Nice

Glenn Brooke | June 23, 2017 | Leave a Comment

Should You Really Be Nice?

I have an acquaintance who says that NICE stands for:

Non-elective

Insincere

Cynical

Euphemisms

You would correctly surmise he’s not the cheeriest person in the world, nor does he believe in the essential goodness of mankind.

The strict definition of the English word Nice is “pleasant; agreeable; satisfactory” with a secondary definition of “fine; subtle.” I live in Iowa where we talk about “midwest nice” as part of our culture. We wave to other drivers on the farm roads even when we don’t know them! Mothers coach their children to be polite and nice to others, which is a good thing.

Check out the surprising etymology of the word “nice”:

nice

Leaders should be pleasant and engaging (and firm and decisive) rather than nescius. Ignorance should never be the source of “nice.” Nescius serves neither you or others, and certainly not your organization.

Finally, far too many people underestimate the cunning and wile that can lie underneath the surface of “nice.” Be wary of presumptions that nice goes deep. Study and weigh actions more than words.

Many people have observed that nice people don’t “get ahead” in organizations. There may be some Machiavellian truth in that. The people who get ahead are seen as effective. Leaders must work for effectiveness first, and certainly nescius has no place in effectiveness.

Be nice out of courtesy and knowledge and experience. Be nice because it promotes healthy relationships. Be nice but not at the expense of the truth.  

be nice

Adam Smith | August 23, 2016 | Leave a Comment

#118: Three More Ways to Be Nice

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Spotify | Email | TuneIn | RSS

People underestimate the power found in being nice to others, but it need not be forgotten. Being nice to others can open the door to opportunity, but of course, that’s not the reason to be nice. Being nice to others is just the right thing to do, because paying it forward puts more positivity in the world. Yes, focusing on bettering yourself is important, and yes, putting in the work is typically the fastest way to see results, but those things are just the beginning. The only reason to better yourself is to turn around and then impact other people. Now that we have that out of the way, I want to talk about the three ways that people can be nicer on a daily basis:

[Read more…] about #118: Three More Ways to Be Nice

Primary Sidebar

About

Hi, my name is Adam Smith and welcome to asmithblog.com. I am the author of the book, The Bravest You. Because of my work as an entrepreneur, consultant, writer, and speaker, I have been named a top industry influencer by American Genius. I live with my wife, Jasmine, and three children in Shenandoah, IA.

[Read More…]

Podcast: Ideas

Ideas with Adam Smith Logo

Podcast: Live Life with Purpose

Life With Purpose Podcast Icon

The Bravest You by Adam Kirk Smith

Youtube: ASmithVideo

asmithvideo icon

Latest Posts

  • FREE BOOK… for a limited time!
  • Add Value
  • Books I’m Listening To…
  • Motive Matters
  • Books and Other Stuff

Adam Smith · Leadership in Life · asmithblog.com © 2025 · Adam Kirk Smith's blog on leadership, relationships, communication, creativity, and focus.