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The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World With Kindness
by
Linda Kaplan Thaler (Goodreads Author),
Robin Koval (Goodreads Author)
Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval have moved to the top of the advertising industry by following a simple but powerful philosophy: it pays to be nice. Where so many companies encourage a dog eat dog mentality, the Kaplan Thaler Group has succeeded through chocolate and flowers. In The Power of Nice, through their own experiences and the stories of other people and busine...more
Hardcover, 144 pages
Published
September 19th 2006
by Crown Business
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Real-life stories on why being nice pays
Niceness has a bad name in business. Indeed, usually it seems as if the bad boys and girls get ahead, not the good and kindhearted. No one would call former GE chief Jack “Neutron” Welch or Leona “Queen of Mean” Helmsley nice. But Welch started poor and is now worth $720 million. High-school dropout Helmsley was a billionaire until her tax-evasion fall. Authors Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval say these two toughies are not-so-nice exceptions that prov...more
Niceness has a bad name in business. Indeed, usually it seems as if the bad boys and girls get ahead, not the good and kindhearted. No one would call former GE chief Jack “Neutron” Welch or Leona “Queen of Mean” Helmsley nice. But Welch started poor and is now worth $720 million. High-school dropout Helmsley was a billionaire until her tax-evasion fall. Authors Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval say these two toughies are not-so-nice exceptions that prov...more
The authors and the CEO and the president of Kaplan Thaler Group, one of the fastest-growing ad agencies in the US. They cite their own experiences as well as those of others to illustrate how being nice doesn't mean being walked on, but means being respectful and thoughtful of others. They talk about saying "yes" and how it doesn't always mean that you committ yourself to doing yet another thing, but that it can also mean helping those asking to find the right person that can help them. The exa...more
Kinda cheated and listened to this one on audiobook. :P This was written by a couple of very successful female advertising executives ( they sound like female - and much happier versions of Madmen) who believe it is infinitely more effective to be nice, considerate, cooperative, etc. than to be ruthless and self absorbed. Linda and Robin are great storytellers and share many a compelling tale about how a little consideration --- or the lack of it -- made a huge difference --- often being the thi...more
POLLYANNA PAP.
But a quick and enjoyable read.
“In the end, being a cheerleader is far more effective than being a drill sergeant.” ---pg. 80
‘The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness,’ by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, is one of those books we all wish the other guy would read and assimilate, but somehow know they never will. ‘They’ are already too comfortable with the idea of power, and the concept of ‘nice’ never enters their ken.
So, as a sort of a second-best e...more
But a quick and enjoyable read.
“In the end, being a cheerleader is far more effective than being a drill sergeant.” ---pg. 80
‘The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness,’ by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval, is one of those books we all wish the other guy would read and assimilate, but somehow know they never will. ‘They’ are already too comfortable with the idea of power, and the concept of ‘nice’ never enters their ken.
So, as a sort of a second-best e...more
Before I review this book, I need to level with you and tell you that I, myself, am painfully nice. Or, maybe considerate is a better word. Anyhow, I didn’t read this book to find out how to be nicer. I read this book to try and prove to myself that nice is *not* a detriment to success. For the most part, the authors were able to help me with this determination.
The authors, Robin Koval and Linda Kaplan Thaler, begin with “nice is the toughest four letter word you’ll ever know.” They start with t...more
The authors, Robin Koval and Linda Kaplan Thaler, begin with “nice is the toughest four letter word you’ll ever know.” They start with t...more
One day at work I had a customer treat me really badly. I remembered this book was on my leader's book shelf. I excused myself from the customer promising to be back momentarily. I grabbed the book from Celeste's office and came back to my rude customer and put the book standing up in front of him on my desk. The look of shock on his face was priceless. I promptly told him to leave and try coming back tomorrow and with a smile and we could then resume business. The preface to this book is writte...more
I guess I was expecting something written by a sociologist/inter-communications specialist, with data points and practical advice based on scientifically gathered data, that addressed practical and nice ways to deal with difficult people. This book, on the contrary, is about the personal experiences of two highly successful business women, who put their emphasis on the culture of nice to work for them in the often cut-throat world of advertising. While their anecdotes are quite interesting, and...more
This book is old wine in new bags. Nothing new here, all existing (and often good) advice, looked at from a "nice" angle.
The only reason to read this book is to learn that you can be succesful without being an aggressive alpha-male person. But seriousl, you don't need a book for that, here's my advice instead:
"You can be successful on your own terms, if you choose to. And if that includes being nice, fine. If not, also fine. Now stop reading books and go f€@kin' do it!"
As you can see, my terms i...more
The only reason to read this book is to learn that you can be succesful without being an aggressive alpha-male person. But seriousl, you don't need a book for that, here's my advice instead:
"You can be successful on your own terms, if you choose to. And if that includes being nice, fine. If not, also fine. Now stop reading books and go f€@kin' do it!"
As you can see, my terms i...more
Apr 19, 2008
Anton
rated it
4 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
All leaders
Recommended to Anton by:
A senior and exceptionally "nice" client, friend and colleague
This book simply, succinctly, yet compellingly, lays out the considerable force that generosity of spirit, authentic listening, and a deep and abiding will to serve brings to organizations. This is the unadorned and straight-talking truth about creating wholesome environments in which strong professional communities are best able to thrive. It presents an effective antidote for the convoluted and tortured logic of unbridled aggressiveness, fierce competitiveness, and negative critique that have...more
This refreshing take on professional and personal life is well worth a read. It’s authors Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval have moved their advertising agency to the top of the industry by following a simple but powerful philosophy: it pays to be nice. Through their own experiences and those of other people and businesses they demonstrate why contrary to conventional wisdom nice people finish first. Initially they seem to be tempting you to go straight for the reward: nice people live longer...more
Niceness is a set of skills that can be learned. They must be practiced often so that they are demonstrated constantly in daily life. Being nice heps us to build important successful personal and business relationships. These are the skills that if used properly, can assist us in achieving our goals. We need to embrace being nice as a life strategy.
This is a nice (get it?) little book that talks about customer service and the value of being nice in all business-related activities. One of the key points of the book is that "nice" does not mean weak or naive. It's a quick and easy read that delivers its message clearly and with some insight that is not necessarily intuitive to all businesspeople.
I wouldn't have given this book a second look had it not been for a women's book club through work. There were small tidbits of useful information, but they were few and far between. In general, it read like two women writing about their experiences in business and how they run their company. More storytelling that evidence base.
This is a hard book to rate. The content is good, but the things the authors suggest you should do are things that surely most normal people do: smile at people, joke with others (as long as you don't get too obnoxious with it), treat unkindness with kindness. I just figure most people know these things!
Full of examples of how `nice' triumphs over arrogance, and how kindness works better than aggression. Offers key principles, case studies and exercises to help make niceness habitual. By the time you finish the book you will agree that being “nice” really does lead to business success.
This isn't just a business philosophy, but a great way to live. These ladies don't pretend to be saints, but they give examples of why just being nice can mean success over failure. The benefits aren't always immediate or obvious, but being nice always makes a difference.
While we all may have heard the phrase "you can catch more flies with honey", I rarely have heard a practical study on how to use kindness and consideration in the workplace. Kaplan-Thaler and Koval do a great job illustrating applications and benefits of "being nice". I personally love their Secret-like spin on reaping the benefits of the energy you expend. And, it was great to hear it read by the co-authors. All-in-all, I would recommend this book for anyone who works with customers or manages...more
It's a "nice" book , however it didn't make me want to "be nice" , seems like the advice everyone usually gives, I'm polite that's close enough , but if I wanted to maybe recommend this book to my friends , I'm afraid it wouldn't help them that much.
A compact set of examples and ideas in support of the philosophy that courtesy and concern for others really is the best way. Tactics of note include finding ways not to say "no" and asking about people simply to indicate their importance.
Interesting read. Cites studies that are helpful about the effect of being a nice person. Obviously, i am not in the "work place" but it is completely applicable in any working relationship (school committees, church callings, etc)
This is a very cute but powerful book. They really go through steps & it really makes you think about how you go about things day to day. I think this book is really helpful in so many ways & hope to put them in practice.
I am not a fan of self-help books, but I found this book to influence my life in so many ways. I find myself thinking about it on a regular basis. My office will be reading it together this year.
This was a fun book to read. About 3 pages into it though, i commented to my sweet little mom(who apparently thought i was mean enough i needed to read it) that it seemed like every example they gave of being nice resulted in some big personal gain. I didn't agree with that, and throughout the book they SOMEWHAT clarified that, but there always seemed to be a "since you were nice..NOW YOU GET>.." But overall, it was a great reminder of ways to be nice to people! I've been smiling with my teet...more
This is a light-reading book. Most of what you read seems to be rather common sense, however, reading it makes you reflect upon your behavior toward others. The title is well-suited for the contents of the book, although it does not indicate that the book actually helps you to achieve higher emotional intelligence.
It is not only about being nice to people, but to find happiness while doing so.
It is not only about being nice to people, but to find happiness while doing so.
When I Read this book it helped me out by being nicer and just being a better person.
When you read this book you will probaly find yourself doing kind things all the time.
When you read this book you will probaly find yourself doing kind things all the time.
Doing the right thing makes you feel better. Many of todayu's problems can be solved with acts of kindness. Doing good things will improve your life.
A book laced with fundamentals of how to be respectful. I enjoyed this and purchased a dozen copies for my team at work. A good reminder for anyone, anytime.
Aug 03, 2011
Krysti
added it
It was a pretty good book, gave a lot of "nice" examples of when things turned out great after they went out of their way to be nice...motivating.
This book gives its readers a nice reminder to remain human, but it's pretty sad that we gotten to a point where we need books to tell us to have a soul.
Very positive book people should consider reading to gain understanding on how helping others helps them. Only complaint is it was a tad short.
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Linda Kaplan Thaler has been responsible for some of the most touching, relevant and famous advertising campaigns during her 25+ years in the advertising and entertainment business. She is acclaimed within the industry for her innovative and topical approach.
Much of her work is now part of the American pop culture landscape. She has authored and composed campaign jingles that are among the industr...more
More about Linda Kaplan Thaler...
Much of her work is now part of the American pop culture landscape. She has authored and composed campaign jingles that are among the industr...more
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