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Writing | Career Growth
Too Nice for a Promotion? How My Friend Proved Kindness Isn’t a Weakness
Rejected for being ‘Too Nice,’ he landed a better job. Here’s why you should never settle for less.
Non-members read the full article here.
During an annual appraisal, my friend’s line manager delivered an unexpected feedback:
“You’re too nice, and that will hurt your chances for promotion.”
My friend was stunned. His manager didn’t say he lacked skills or underperformed just that his kindness was seen as a liability.
The comment left him questioning whether being empathetic and collaborative was somehow a flaw in leadership.
The Turning Point
Instead of dimming his warmth to fit a corporate stereotype, my friend took a bold step: he applied for a more senior role at another company.
To his (and perhaps his former manager’s) surprise, he aced the interview and secured the job without compromising his personality.
A year later, he was promoted again, proving that being “too nice” wasn’t a barrier to success. In fact, his ability to build…
