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The Protocol Post
Tips, Tools and Resources for Polished Professionals
June 2009
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Greetings! One of my guilty pleasures is watching the television show, American Idol. During the final episode, I and millions of others watched in amazement as Kris Allen, the polite, aw-shucks singer from small-town Arkansas won the title. The old adage, "nice guys finish last" certainly did not apply in this case. In the past, nice people have often been thought of as wimps or pushovers. But I've got good news. Times are changing.
Amiable guys like pop hero, Kris Allen, are standing out and proving that we are transitioning into an age of nice. Niceness in our culture spikes when the real world is full of trouble, theorized Catherine Ryan Hyde, the author of "Pay it Forward," the 1999 novel that gave a marketable name to the idea of doing good deeds for strangers with the expectation that they would then do the same for others.
I was especially pleased when the New York Times recently published, "Back by Popular Demand," an article about why nice is back. Those who might be categorized as nice tend to have lower blood pressure and lower divorce rates, according to Linda Kaplan Thaler, author of "The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World With Kindness." Thaler also says that doctors who take an extra few minutes to talk with patients are sued less often for malpractice.
If you'd like to join me in taking an oath of niceness, please visit OperationNice.com. This blog was created about 10 months ago by Melissa Morris Ivone, a 28-year-old graphic designer in Cinnaminson, N.J., who was inspired after a stranger held the door for her in an elevator. She wanted to create an oasis of good vibes online. I encourage you to create an oasis of good vibes at home and work whenever you can. After all, this world certainly could use a little more kindness. Warmest regards,
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Saying "Hello" to Coworkers is More Important than You Might Think
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ What is it about people who refuse to smile or greet you at work? Are they having such a bad day that they want to make sure you have a bad day too? It's important to acknowledge coworkers with a smile, a nod, or a friendly "hello." Ignoring coworkers in the morning is enough to set a bad tone for the entire day and create a negative working environment.
Besides, what kind of message does it send when you ignore others? Our culture interprets silence with anger, indifference or sadness. A smile and a friendly "hello," even when you're not feeling so chipper, can make you appear nicer and more approachable.
**I was interviewed about this topic on May 25, 2009 in the Lakeland Ledger. To read more click here.
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