News

If you're being too nice at work, there's a chance that over time, the person on the receiving end becomes distrustful of you, says social psychologist and New York University professor Tessa West. She believes that people need specific information that would actually help them improve their work, and being overly positive does more harm than good.

West told CNBC Make It that the problem starts with social discomfort. "Almost everyone will at some point find themselves in an interaction that makes them feel uncomfortable," she said. "Most of us take a simple approach to quelling the discomfort: We smile as hard as we can, laugh (even when nothing is funny), and bend over backwards to convince people: There’s nothing to worry about here. This interaction will be a positive one. I am nice. Maybe too nice?"

The psychologist added that the harder we try to use niceness to cover up our discomfort, the more people can see right through us.

"Humans are good at picking up on emotions, which leak out through our nonverbal behaviors, like tone of voice. We think we’re doing a good job of masking anxiety by layering on the compliments, but when those compliments are delivered through artificial smiles, no one is buying it," she told the publication.

Instead, West recommends people be precise and particular in their remarks. "If you tell someone exactly what they did well or why their work was excellent, you’ll come off as more genuine and your feedback will be more meaningful," she said. Even when it's criticism, it helps if you can pinpoint the issue — that a presentation that had too much jargon, for example, rather than “it was boring” — because the more useful the feedback will be, West added.

Discover the latest Business News, Budget 2025 News, Sensex, and Nifty updates. Obtain Personal Finance insights, tax queries, and expert opinions on Moneycontrol or download the Moneycontrol App to stay updated!

${res.must_watch_article[0].headline}

Sensex Today Jammu Kashmir News Live Ather Energy IPO JNU Poll Results GIFT Nifty India Economy Apple App Store Dalai Lama TS SSC Results 2025 IPL Points Table 2025

Business Markets Stocks India News City News Economy Mutual Funds Personal Finance IPO News Startups

Home Currencies Commodities Pre-Market IPO Global Market Bonds

Home Loans up to 50 Lakhs Credit Cards Lifetime Free Finance TrackerNew Fixed Deposits Fixed Deposit Comparison Fixed Income

Home MC 30 Top Ranked Funds ETFs Mutual Fund Screener

Income Tax Calculator EMI Calculator Retirement Planning Gratuity Calculator

Stock Markets

News18 Firstpost CNBC TV18 News18 Hindi Cricketnext Overdrive Topper Learning

About Us Contact Us Advisory Alert Advertise with Us SupportDisclaimer Privacy Policy Cookie Policy Terms & Conditions Financial Terms (Glossary) Sitemap Investors

You are already a Moneycontrol Pro user.