The Catastrophic Consequences of a "Nice" Culture

In this episode, Tim and Junior will discuss the catastrophic consequences of a "nice" culture. The intention behind cultivating a nice culture is often genuine. Leaders believe they are doing a good thing that will motivate people and create inclusion. However, it often has the opposite effect, resulting in a lack of honest communication, intellectual bravery, innovation, and accountability.

(11:01) We want to be polite, courteous, and kind, but still be willing to confront hard truths. "Nice gets dangerous very quickly, Junior, because people will say, 'Well, I don't want to hurt your feelings.' Okay, that could sometimes be the motivation, but more often it's that I'm actually trying to protect myself. So now in the room, we have shifted from playing offense to playing defense."

(26:20) Niceness over time creates inertia in the organization. "The organization loses its ability to act preemptively because we're preoccupied with being nice. So, we can't address issues in a timely manner. We don't have, as I said, the tolerance for candor. And so, we wait, procrastinate, and fail to act. Meanwhile, a problem or a threat or a danger grows and compounds. Pretty soon, we have a crisis."

(40:04) How do we combat the consequences of a "nice" culture? To combat a "nice" culture, you have to be willing to do these four things: 1) clarify expectations and performance standards, 2) publicly challenge the status quo, even if you helped create it, 3) provide air cover for people who speak up, and 4) confront performance problems immediately.

Important Links
The Hazards of a “Nice” Company Culture - HBR Article
Why Some Leaders are Afraid of Psychological Safety - Podcast
Diagnose the Levels of Inclusion and Innovation in Your Organization