The term ‘nice guy’ has become a common term in society recently. Someone who is described as a ‘nice guy’ may have one or more of the characteristics defined as a risk factor for having an unhealthy lifestyle, including increased waistline, increased blood pressure, increased risk of heart disease, and increased risk of stroke. However, not everyone who is perceived to be a ‘nice guy’ does actually fit the bill. Why are there some nice guys, and why are there some not?

The word ‘nice’ originates from the Greek word ‘neokhletos’, which means ‘not very nice.’ The root word, however, also has the related term ‘kerubiontos’, which means ‘not pleasant’. In recent years, the English language has made use of these two root words to describe different characteristics, including the quality of being a ‘nice fellow’, and ‘not being a pushover.’ The prefix ‘nice’ was added to denote the quality of the trait and connotes the notion that a person is pleasant and polite in temperament, unlike the abrasive and rude stereotype of the stereotypical nice guy.

There is nothing inherently wrong with being a nice fellow; it just might not fit into today’s image of a credible person. It is therefore important to consider how you might employ your personality when facing potential conflict or acting in a situation where your credibility is on the line. It is important to consider what kind of a role a nice guy would play in a team, and how that would impact positively or negatively upon your performance. The best leaders and top professionals all have one thing in common: high moral standards, a strong sense of social responsibility, and high levels of personal integrity. A leader must be able to instill these values in others by example. A professional that can be trusted to impartially lead and to fairly deal with all types of people should be considered to possess high personal qualities that qualify them for leadership.

Public health is an area that involves many social policies that are based upon the delivery of quality health services. These services are provided to all citizens regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, class or sexual orientation. In order to effectively deliver quality public health services, a health professional needs to have high personal qualities that make them appealing and endearing to the public. A nice guy might be able to accomplish certain tasks related to public health without creating any problems, but if the public perceives an administration official as overly nice, they will likely be less likely to purchase insurance from that person. High quality standards can be maintained through honesty and integrity, and these traits will generally make an individual more attractive to those in positions of leadership.

The quality standards that a nice individual would possess would most likely be those of leadership. Leaders are often required to be fair and considerate of their subordinates. A leader is also expected to demonstrate good decision-making skills, interpersonal skills, and tact, and these traits also relate to human interaction. A nice guy can be a valuable addition to a team because leadership requires the ability to influence and inspire. If an individual is not pleasant to work with, they will not likely succeed in achieving the highest level of success possible for their position. Human interaction is heavily linked to leadership, and leaders must always maintain a positive attitude even when working with someone who might be less than personally acceptable.

Being nice can be a valuable trait if one so chooses to adopt it in their daily life, but a trait that must be considered to be such should relate to how a member of a leadership team communicates with others on a daily basis. A nice fellow might make others feel comfortable, and they may also create a good atmosphere for those who communicate with the individual. However, leadership must also be done with respect, and when it involves sharing information or creating a learning environment, a nice fellow will no longer be appropriate. Those involved in shared learning need to have acceptable standards for conduct in order for the group to function as effectively as possible.