WHY YOU NEED TO MASTER BEING NICE
When it comes to social interactions, “dealing with jerks makes me so happy!” said no one ever. I think it is safe to say that we all enjoy the company of those who are friendly, and treat others the way we want to be treated. Even as I type that it amazes me how many examples in just the last few years I have seen of employees treating guests poorly while they are working, coworkers talking behind another coworkers back, friends disowning one another over political affiliations ect. and I realize that sometimes we need to remember to just be nice.
Being nice is something that has always come naturally to me – in fact I feel uncomfortable anytime I have had to be the “bad guy” in a situation. I always think about one of my Mom’s sayings growing up (you know the ones you rolled your eyes at and once you hit 25 it all made since) “Treat others how you want to be treated” and I certainly did not want to be treated like anything less than a Disney Princess.
After years in customer service jobs I have been in situations where I have been treated less then human, a harsh contrast in compression to the Disney Princesses I thought I should be treated like. I was not treated poorly because I was ever mean or unable perform my job, in fact I know I almost always provided the best customer service I could and would go out of my way to make everyone feel special BUT what I was able to validate in those years was the importance of my mother’s saying and living by that no matter the situation.
REASONS TO MASTER BEING NICE
1. Let’s start with the obvious, no one likes a mean girl or boy. While some of my generation may have shared some laughs over Mark Waters Mean Girls. it really is not fun having to be around someone who feels the need to treat others poorly.
2. It Feels Good. Go outside today, and smile at the next person you see… if you are feeling extra friendly pair that smile with a “Hello how are you doing today?” Notice how good it makes you feel to simply be nice to someone. The more you are able to be nice to others the better you will feel about yourself.
IMAGE THIS…..
You are at work counting down the minutes until your shift is up and you really don’t want to put on that “fake smile” for the next customer who is going to walk through the door – so you don’t. You decide that you are going to find something to compliment the guest on and make them feel great and in return you feel good.
3. Everyone is watching. With the power of social media, and cameras everywhere it is important to understand that when you act like a jerk, treat others poorly or have a nasty interaction with a customer chances are likely it will come back to bite you in the butt.
4. Business – no matter what kind of business you are in it is all about relationships. When it comes to making business choices, where I spend my money as a patron, who I may collaborate on an artistic project with a big part of that decision boils down to my relationship with the individual(s) or my ability to build a relationship. You never know who you may have a business relationship with so always be nice!
5. Being able to work in a team is KEY. In today’s world you need to be able to collaborate with others, that sometimes means breaking that old compliment sandwich that we were taught back in grade school. I am not saying be a push over by any means, just know how to work with people, listen to their ideas and collaborate in a way that makes everyone feel good about the end results because when you have a team of people who want to collaborate with you, magic happens.
BEING NICE: IT DOESN’T COST A DAMN THING SO SPRINKLE THAT SHIT EVERYWHERE
- Say hello to your neighbor the next time you see each other instead of looking down at your phone.
- Hold a door open for the next person who has their hands full.
- The next time you are at the grocery store ask the clerk how their day is and actually listen.
- Put your phone away when you’re at dinner with friends – try it, I know it is hard but is so nice to show the person you are with that they have your full attention.
- If someone looks like they are in a rush in line at Starbucks tomorrow let them go ahead of you.
- The next time you are shopping somewhere or having a service by someone who is wearing a name tag, call them by their name.
Originally posted on Pair Of Pulleys blog.
Felicia Pulley is the founder of Buzz Creator. She was announced one of the top 100 Influencers in the home staging industry by the National Trade Association RESA®. Felicia has a background in marketing and an education in film and television.
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