loader from loading.io

49. Stop Being Nice with Jim Uhl

Mission First People Always's podcast

Release Date: 08/01/2023

76. Hope in a Cup: How One Woman Is Using Coffee to Combat Human Trafficking—The Story of Talitha Coffee and Jenny Barber show art 76. Hope in a Cup: How One Woman Is Using Coffee to Combat Human Trafficking—The Story of Talitha Coffee and Jenny Barber

Mission First People Always's podcast

What if your morning cup of coffee could help transform someone’s life? In this unforgettable episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Jenny Barber—survivor, leader, and co-founder of Talitha Coffee—for a conversation that will change the way you think about business, leadership, and human dignity. Jenny’s personal journey from surviving child exploitation to founding a thriving, purpose-driven company is nothing short of extraordinary. With over 140 employees and 9 coffee shops, Talitha Coffee is more than a business—it’s a movement of healing,...

info_outline 75. Why Choosing Joy is the Secret to Resilient Leadership with Ricardo Viso show art 75. Why Choosing Joy is the Secret to Resilient Leadership with Ricardo Viso

Mission First People Always's podcast

Have you ever noticed that stress, anxiety, and burnout feel more common than joy these days? What if you could embrace simple habits that make your days lighter, more meaningful, and yes — even more joyful? In this heartfelt and practical conversation, Dr. Mike Patterson talks with Ricardo Viso, a global entrepreneur who’s survived cancer, loss, and hardship and emerged with one clear mission: to help people infuse joy into everyday life — at work and at home. In this episode, Ricardo Viso — speaker, entrepreneur, and founder of the Joyful Living Lounge — shares his story of...

info_outline 74. From Missed Opportunities to Measurable Growth: Why A Follow-Up System Is the Key to Great Leadership (Not Just Sales) with Doug Brown show art 74. From Missed Opportunities to Measurable Growth: Why A Follow-Up System Is the Key to Great Leadership (Not Just Sales) with Doug Brown

Mission First People Always's podcast

Why Follow-Up Is a Leadership Practice with Doug C. Brown Let’s face it—“follow-up” doesn’t always have the best reputation. It can feel pushy, annoying, or just like one more thing on your to-do list. But what if follow-up wasn’t about pestering people… and instead became one of the most powerful tools you have to show care, build trust, and lead with integrity? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with renowned sales expert Doug C. Brown to reframe everything you think you know about follow-up. Doug shares why this essential practice is about more than just closing a...

info_outline 73. Fighting for Greatness: Leadership Lessons from the Cage with Clifford Starks show art 73. Fighting for Greatness: Leadership Lessons from the Cage with Clifford Starks

Mission First People Always's podcast

What if leadership was less about the boardroom and more about the octagon? In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Clifford Starks—former UFC fighter turned performance coach—for a knockout conversation on mastering mindset, resilience, and leadership under pressure. From climbing into the cage to helping business leaders find their flow, Clifford shares hard-won wisdom that will challenge and inspire you. Clifford Starks knows what it means to face fear head-on—literally. With a 14-5 professional fighting record and a relentless drive for excellence, Clifford has transitioned from...

info_outline 72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab) show art 72. Culture Eats Strategy for Breakfast: How to Build a Thriving Workplace with Andrea Wanerstrand (Culture Lab)

Mission First People Always's podcast

We’ve all heard Peter Drucker’s famous quote, "Culture eats strategy for breakfast." But what does it really take to build a workplace culture that drives both people and performance? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with culture expert Andrea Wanerstrand to uncover the key elements of creating a thriving, human-centric workplace. Dr. Mike welcomes Andrea Wanerstrand, Founder & CEO of A3 CultureLab, a leadership speaker, coach, and consultant who helps organizations—from startups to Fortune 500 companies—design extraordinary workplace...

info_outline 71. Story to Strategy: Should You Write a Book In 2025? Using Your Book to Build Multiple Income Streams show art 71. Story to Strategy: Should You Write a Book In 2025? Using Your Book to Build Multiple Income Streams

Mission First People Always's podcast

Ever dreamed of writing a book but felt overwhelmed by the process? In this episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Danielle Hutchinson, Chief Creative Officer at Authors on a Mission, to uncover the secrets to writing a book that not only connects with readers but also elevates your brand, grows your business, and creates multiple income streams. Dr. Mike welcomes Danielle Hutchinson, a master storyteller and ghostwriter of over 150 books, who shares her expertise on crafting compelling narratives. From her experiences as an English teacher to her current...

info_outline 70. The Art of Leadership: What Ballet Can Teach Business Leaders with Ahli Moore show art 70. The Art of Leadership: What Ballet Can Teach Business Leaders with Ahli Moore

Mission First People Always's podcast

What do leadership and ballet have in common? More than you might think! In this inspiring episode of Mission First People Always, Dr. Mike Patterson speaks with Ahli Moore about the surprising connections between ballet and leadership, uncovering how the discipline, practice, and passion behind the art of dance can guide leaders to be more effective and impactful. Dr. Mike welcomes Ahli Moore, founder of X-Factor Solutions, a consulting firm dedicated to leadership development and organizational transformation. Drawing on his unique perspective as a business leader and his connection to the...

info_outline 69. Transforming Technical Experts into High-Impact Leaders with Dr. Angelique Adams show art 69. Transforming Technical Experts into High-Impact Leaders with Dr. Angelique Adams

Mission First People Always's podcast

How can technical experts harness their unique strengths to become impactful leaders? Join Dr. Mike Patterson and Dr. Angelique Adams as they explore the transition from technical mastery to effective leadership and discuss actionable tools for success. In this episode, Dr. Mike Patterson welcomes Dr. Angelique Adams, an accomplished engineer-turned-leadership coach, to discuss the journey of transforming technical experts into high-impact leaders. Drawing on 25+ years of experience, Dr. Adams shares her personal story of transitioning from a lab technician to a corporate executive overseeing...

info_outline 68. Chasing Big Dreams: Creativity and Connection in Teams with Disney Imagineer Bob Weis and Tricia Cerrone show art 68. Chasing Big Dreams: Creativity and Connection in Teams with Disney Imagineer Bob Weis and Tricia Cerrone

Mission First People Always's podcast

How do you turn dreams into reality while leading teams through complex, high-stakes projects? Dr. Mike Patterson hosts a LIVE discussion on linkedin with Bob Weis, former head of Walt Disney Imagineering, and Tricia Cerrone, a leadership expert, to uncover the lessons behind chasing big dreams, fostering creativity, and leading with purpose. About the Episode: In this special live episode, Dr. Mike Patterson is joined by Bob Weis, author of Dream Chasing, and Tricia Cerrone, who facilitates a rich conversation about leadership, creativity, and collaboration. Bob shares his journey leading...

info_outline 67. Leading with Kindness: Brittany Martin on Disrupting Workplace Culture show art 67. Leading with Kindness: Brittany Martin on Disrupting Workplace Culture

Mission First People Always's podcast

In a competitive and ever-changing business world, is there room for kindness? Dr. Mike Patterson sits down with Brittany Martin, founder of Be Kind Works, to discuss how leaders can embrace kindness as a powerful strategy for sustainable success. Dr. Mike welcomes Brittany Martin, an expert in HR and leadership development, who brings a unique perspective on how kindness and strategic leadership go hand in hand. As the founder of Be Kind Works, Brittany shares her KIND framework, designed to help leaders foster empathy and effectiveness in the workplace. Brittany discusses why kindness...

info_outline
 
More Episodes

Introduction

Have you run into people who seem just a bit too nice? They are so accommodating and non-confrontational that you’re not sure exactly what they think? There’s a lot of smiling and nodding, but little healthy opposition, so there isn’t much in the way of innovation and meaningful improvements. Nobody wants to rock the boat, so it becomes a go-along-to-get-along situation. There really aren’t any moments of excitement or exhilaration in these nice, plain vanilla worlds. Some organizations have a nice culture–and my guest today is going to argue that nice is unhealthy and weak. Instead, he calls for leaders to build teams that are cohesive, courageous, and kind.

Guest Bio

Jim Uhl has 27-years of public safety leadership experience with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, Lakewood Police Department, and Upland Police Department in California. He is the author of the new book, Stop Being Nice! A Call for Leaders to Build Teams that are Cohesive, Courageous, and Kind, and the founder of Breaking the Chain Consulting. He is also the author of The Arch: A Framework for Leadership and Life.

Jim holds a masters degree in organizational leadership and is a California Police Officer Standards and Training Master Instructor. He also teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in leadership at Woodbury University, and is certified in a number of commercial training programs.

 

What You’ll Learn from this Episode

Why our organizations are unhealthy and sick

Simple strategies to build cohesive and high-performing teams

Actions of kind and courageous teams

The real meaning of kind and how it can transform an organization

 

Links for This Episode:

 

Connect with Dr. Mike: 



Episode Minute By Minute:

 

  • 0:02 Do you work with people that seem to be just a bit too nice? 

  • 3:27 An introduction to Jim Uhl

  • 5:29 Jim gives the “why” behind his book, Stop Being Nice, on leadership and team building

  • 6:49 Jim shares the heart behind his consulting firm and how it ties into his passion for leadership  

  • 7:54 Take a deep dive into Jim’s book, Stop Being Nice 

  • 8:39 Jim shares how there is a marked difference between being nice and being kind

  • 10:05 High performance as a team cannot happen without cohesiveness and affinity towards one another 

  • 11:16 Jim’s definition of trust is, building the confidence of others 

  • 13:20 Good leadership sometimes takes enduring emotional pain and is not an easy road

  • 16:36 The sinking six of nice: settling and justifying being nice for not having hard conversations when they are needed

  • 17:07 The anecdote to nice is kindness 

  • 22:33 Always avoid having tough conversations when angry, cool off and gather your thoughts before hand 

  • 23:51 People need to be told information that is useful, serviceable and good 

  • 27:30 Strength and cohesion is developed in a team when people are empowered to embrace the skills for having tough conversations 

  • 33:49 Jim answers to what every leader can do today today to start implementing this 

  • 36:42 Follow the links to grab a copy of Jim’s book, Stop Being Nice today!

  • 37:47 How to reach Jim and learn more about his services