Why a Culture of Being Too Nice Is Holding Your Team Back

The problem of pushing a friendly culture to the extreme

Gemma can fly/ Stocksy

What word comes to mind when you think of an unhealthy workplace culture?

Often, the immediate responses are "toxic," "aggressive," or "dysfunctional." These terms are the go-to descriptors for environments detrimental to employee well-being and organizational success.

Our 2023 culture study points in that direction. The worst company cultures are characterized by a fearful environment (86%), lack of alignment (71%), and distrust and blame (65%), among other factors.

But what if I told you that one of the most insidious traits of an unhealthy culture is actually disguised as something positive?

Yes, you read that right.

An excessively friendly or "too nice" culture can be just as harmful to a team's fabric as overt hostility.

The idea may seem counterintuitive, maybe even heretical, in a corporate narrative that constantly praises the benefits of camaraderie, empathy, and friendship.

However, a culture of excessive niceness can lead to a false sense of harmony that conc…