Wednesday 18 August 2010

It pays to be nice

So we've all heard of this saying "Nice people finish last" but is it really true? Maybe only if you're nice but not wise enough.

Power is seldom used in the same breath as compassion. If I have to choose between the two, I would pick being nice instead of nasty anytime because I want to sleep well at night. What's the point of existing if you are wealthy but mean? We can't live in isolation and I certainly don't want people cursing behind my back all the time.

Being nice has immense benefits. A year ago, as we were about to write off a bad-debt after failing to recover a large sum of money owed by one company, an associate offered to mediate without asking for anything in return. Using his influence, he helped us recover the full payment within a year.

He didn't have to lift a finger to help us but he did because I had always been nice and fair to him. My philosophy in business is simple - we are all out to make a decent living, there is no need to be ruthless and trample anyone in the process. Instead we should work harmoniously to achieve more together. I know it sounds naive but this simple theory works in my favour. At least I sleep well at night.

10 comments:

Amel said...

I totally agree with that. Some people used to say to my Dad (whose philosophy of life is black-and-white, who believes on being fair and nice) that he would never be successful in life. Well, that all depends on what "success" means to them. If it means simply accumulating as much money and wealth as possible, maybe my Dad isn't "successful" in that matter...but I think he's taught us more valuable lessons by being who he is...and that is a different type of success, too. :-))))

JY69 said...

Very true words but it is too bad more people don't choose to live by those words!

Wen-ai said...

I do try to be nice, kind and fair most of the times, but then I'll see those nasty cheats getting ahead in life. O well... I wonder do they ever sleep well at night.

auntielucia said...

Agree with you Blur that one should be nice, whether it pays or not. Sometimes, it's the easier path to follow too, because standing up for one's right, in every matter, can be time and energy consuming.

At the very least, a smile to a queue jumper for example may make him/her feel sheepish, most times. If not, wot's a queue jumper or two in the long road of life? :-D

The World According To Me said...

Wise words.

I would rather be nice and be able to sleep at night too! What's that saying - be careful who you trample on the way up as you may meet them on the way down. I'm a big believer in Karma too.

Blur Ting said...

Amel - Yes, success means different things to different people. I have friends who are immensely successful but are alienated from friends. It's sad.

Blur Ting said...

JY - I think when most people actually become successful, they might realise it is not that fantastic afterall especially if they have no loved ones to share with.

Blur Ting said...

Wen-ai - It's true that those at the top usually have to scheme and work their way there but they might not realise that they're not well liked by their peers.

Blur Ting said...

Auntielucia- Best is to be nice without expecting anything in return otherwise you'll end up being unhappy.

Blur Ting said...

World - Yes, karma is very real!

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