49. Stop Being Nice with Jim Uhl

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:

• Stop Being Nice Book Website - https://stopbeingnicebook.com 

• Company Website - https://breakingthechainconsulting.com 

• The Arch Book Website - The Arch Book • Breaking The Chain Consulting

• Instagram - @‌breakthechain73 or Instagram (@breakingthechain73)

• Linked In - Search Jim Uhl or https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-uhl-9b0808115/ 

• YouTube - James Uhl

 

Connect with Dr. Mike: 

• Website: https://www.drmikepatterson.com

• Book: https://www.missionfirstpeoplealwaysbook.com

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/drmichaellpatterson

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealdrmikepatterson/

• Twitter: https://twitter.com/drmikepatterson

• Buy The Book!: Mission First People Always

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