Maybe your boss is just leading by example, showing that kindness and generosity can go a long way in creating a workplace where everyone thrives. Photo: catalystforbusiness.com.
James Mason examines the ‘’nice boss’’ phenomenon. Does their niceness hide deeper issues that should put you on your guard? Or should you just enjoy the niceness while it lasts?
Have you ever caught yourself thinking: “My boss is too nice. What’s the deal?” You’re not alone.
It’s Monday morning, you’ve barely opened your eyes, and there’s your boss, standing at your desk with a perfect cup of coffee, just how you like it.
Suspicious? Absolutely, but also, incredibly heart-warming. Before you jump to conclusions, consider this: Maybe your boss is just … nice.
Or perhaps they read an article claiming that caffeine boosts productivity, taking it a bit too literally. Either way, the free coffee train is one we’re not too keen to disembark from anytime soon.
If your boss keeps showering you with praise, you might start to question whether your work is truly exceptional or if they’re just softening you up for the next nightmare project – one that’s destined for disaster before you even begin.
Here’s a thought: Maybe your boss recently attended a workshop where they were taught that positive reinforcement is the secret to employee happiness.
Or perhaps they’ve mistaken their job for that of a motivational speaker. The verdict is still out, but hey, who’s complaining? Let the compliments keep rolling in.
Does your boss never flinch when you ask for a day off or need to work from home because your cat is ”feeling down”?
Welcome to the flexibility phenomenon. Your boss has either fully embraced the future of work or simply forgotten how to say no. Either way, this level of understanding and flexibility is about as rare as a cactus in the Arctic, so enjoy the magical ride while it lasts.
If your boss is scheduling more team outings than there are public holidays in a year, your suspicions are likely to be aroused.
These out-of-office adventures might be part of a grand strategy to forge a strong, united team. Or it’s possible that these outings are subtly testing who’s up for the challenge – sorting the warriors from the weasels.
What if your boss is simply too nice for the role? They may be a people pleaser, trying to meet expectations without causing any disruption. As a result, they could end up accepting all sorts of tasks that eventually get passed down to you and your team, on top of the workload you’re already managing.
Your boss may avoid speaking up in meetings, leaving you feeling unsupported, while others might undermine you.
Could it be that your team is compensating for a weak boss, simply because they’re so nice that everyone feels compelled to help?
While this might be their strategy to keep things running smoothly, it could ultimately harm team morale and negatively affect mental health. But in the end, maybe they’re just leading by example, showing that kindness, generosity, and a little bit of fun can go a long way to creating a workplace where everyone thrives.
If indeed the worst thing about your boss is that they’re too nice, well, that’s a good problem to have.
So, next time your boss comes around with a coffee or a compliment that makes your day, why not just smile and accept it? After all, in the curious case of the overly nice boss, perhaps the only thing brewing is a strong cup of goodwill.
Remember, the next time someone asks: ”Why is my boss being nice?” you’ll know just to say: ”Better too nice than not nice enough.”
James Mason has worked for various organisations over an 18-year career. A seasoned blogger, he has created the blogsite Office Bantomime. This article first appeared on the Office Bantomime website.
