What is the impact on your business when 61% of your employees are considered “too nice”? Our surveys indicate that the short term effects of being “too nice” in business include a reduction in profits by 8% with even more substantial long term results.

Russ Edelman, founder of Nice Guy Strategies, LLC (NGS), has long considered this an important topic. His experience as a business executive and serial entrepreneur, coupled with his own Nice Guy propensity, spurred his interest into how nice guys fare in the business world. Further research led him to formulate a practical framework of knowledge on the subject to help nice guys and their managers. In his new book, “Nice Guys Can Get The Corner Office”, Russ shares 8 key strategies to help overly nice guys become “Effectively Nice.”

One might ask, “What’s wrong with being a nice guy – one that is hardworking, conscientious, and amenable?” Nothing, except when he suffers from the Nice Guy Syndrome – overly nice behaviors which lead to a lack of effectiveness, leadership, and long-term success. In surveying over 350 nice guys (and gals) as well as 25 high profile executives, Russ’s research uncovered that the cost of the Nice Guy Syndrome in Business is too real for both nice guys and their organizations. A nice guy left to his own well-intentioned devices could actually hinder his career and adversely affect his company. By not changing his thought processes and actions, his ineffectual behavior can lead to breakdowns in productivity and workplace relationships, eventually thwarting success. This leaves a nice guy feeling exploited, frustrated, and overworked.

Nice Guy Strategies, LLC is Russ’s third business venture. In addition to serving as CEO of Corridor Consulting, Inc, Russ regularly speaks and writes on key business and technology trends for the finance and IT industries he serves. As a highly regarded analyst, he pushes the envelope in understanding, analyzing, and explaining key industry trends to global constituencies.

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