WHY DO NICE GUYS FAIL...

Who would like to comment on this statement:

"Why Do Nice Guys Fail and SOB's Succeed in Small Business?"

Regards
Bud Abraham

Always nice guys finish last.Because their nice guys, they get stepped on a lot.

I am not sure if that is always true...but I think nice guys perhaps are people pleasers who have feelings of guilt about being adequately compensated for work and not asserting themselves enough..

Bud, are you trying to tell us something about yourself?

I don't think so.
Bud can be difficult, but after knowing and having him as a competitor for 25 years, he is not a "nice guy" nor a "bad guy", he is a businessman in a tough business.
The distribution of car care chemicals is tough.
Takes millions to just gain a small market share, and like the companies I worked for, those millions were not available, so like Bud, used what I had for the company to gain recognition.
Grumpy

Thanks all for the replies, and thanks Ketch for the kind comments.

Actually, I am reading a book titled "Why Nice Guys Fail and SOB's Succeed in Small Business."

Thought I would see what the community thought about this statement. Will share a synopsis of the philosophy of the book when completed.

In the meantime, would love to know what others think.

Regards
Bud Abraham

Bud-
Thought-provoking subject ! A lot of human interaction doesn't work the way we expect it to . I remember reading about a successful female real estate broker who said one of her requirements for hiring a new agent was that the agent not be too nice .

" The Insider's Guide For Buying A New Or Used Car " by Burke Leon notes that nice people get pushed around a lot .

Years ago, I read another book , on real estate investing, entitled " Winning Through Intimidation ". The author advised dressing, setting up an office and acting in a manner to make people respect you.

I've always been nice to people. I've gotten a raft of poop from some people but in some jobs I've had, customers complimented me and business increased . I have become more assertive over time but not an SOB . I'm no longer overly polite . Examples :
1) " I hate to bother you but..."
2 ) " May we have some extra napkins ? "

I was taught by a sales manager to be definite and enthusiastic when speaking to a customer. Examples :
1) " I can ask my manager if we can do it..."
2) " Out of the question, sir ! That is not something we do in this shop . Call me if you decide you want to do what we suggested. I'm here for you . "

I guess the big question is whether you can get the results you need with assertiveness and without meaness .

This subject reminded me of a road test report in a car magazine. The woman test driver compared a certain car to types of men, saying, " It isn't the captain of the football team or the 'bad boy '. It is the 'nice guy ' . And if you're a nice guy, you know where this is going . "

Doug

What did Leo Derocher say, "nice guys don't win ballgames."

Bud-
If memory serves, there is testimony that "Leo the Lip" Durocher cheated by rigging up a telephone so that a man stealing signs could call them in to the dugout or something --anyway, the hitters knew what pitch was coming and that may be how Tommy Thompson hit a legendary homer . IIRC the article was in the Wall Street Journal ...
Nice guy !