The Problem with Being “Nice”

I’m working on this one. Because I’m a recovering “nice guy.”

And being nice feels right—especially in leadership.

But here’s the thing:
Niceness isn’t the fruit of the Spirit. Kindness is.

And those two aren’t always the same.
Nice avoids conflict.
Nice fears hard conversations.
Nice tolerates what needs to be confronted.

Kindness, on the other hand, tells the truth—with grace. It corrects with care. It calls people higher. Kindness doesn’t mean soft. It means solid. And steady. And strong.

What I’m learning is this:
Leadership isn’t either nice or necessary—it can be nice and necessary.

But the key is not to cave under the pressure of being liked.

Today, lead with kindness—not cowardice.
Say the hard thing.
Make the honest call.

And don’t let your need to be “nice” keep you from doing what’s right.