Jaleesa Myers, a senior studying public relations at the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications, created this book review on The Power of Nice: How to Conquer the Business World with Kindness by Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval.

1. N AT I O N A L B E S T S E L L E R
Foreword by Jay Leno
THE POWER OF
N I C
Ethe Business World
How to Conquer
with Kindness
Linda Kaplan Thaler and Robin Koval
Presentation By Jaleesa Myers

2. Thoughts Before:
“I thought I was going to read a book that would give nice
people the tools to succeed in the business world.” –Jaleesa
Thoughts After:
“I soon found myself reading a book that would transform
my life.” –Jaleesa
Central Theme:
Nice companies have lower employee turnover, lower
recruitment costs, and higher productivity. Nice people make
more money, live longer, and are healthier. Nice isn’t about
being wimpy, but realizing the business rewards when you
embrace this four-letter word and do right by people
(Kaplan Thaler & Koval, 2006).

3. Contents
Foreword by Jay Leno
Chapter 1: The Power of Nice
Chapter 2: The Six Power of Nice Principles
Chapter 3: Bake a Bigger Pie
Chapter 4: Sweeten the Deal
Chapter 5: Help Your Enemies
Chapter 6: Tell the Truth
Chapter 7: “Yes” Your Way to the Top
Chapter 8: Shut Up and Listen
Chapter 9: Put Your Head on Their Shoulders
Chapter 10: Create a Nicer Universe

4. Chapter 1: The Power of Nice
Idea: Discredits societal ideas: survival of the fittest, nice guys finish last, and no
good deeds go unpunished.
• Frank, the ―doorman‖, wins major account with a
smile.
Studies Show:
•Nice is luckier in love
•Nice makes more money
•Nice is healthier
•Nice spends less time in court
How Does this Relate to Public Relations Management?
Companies such as The Kaplan Thaler Group have grown into a advertising
powerhouse with billings close to $1 billion. They did this with smiles—not pitch
forks. Their growth was not based on fear, but with compliments.

5. Chapter 2: The Six Power of Nice
Principles
Idea: Sometimes we are so busy starring in our own movie, we forget that others
see us as their supporting actor/actress in their own. We should exercise our nice
muscles by following someone we admire.
Six Nice Principles:
1. Positive impressions are like seeds
2. You Never Know
3. People Change
4. Nice must be automatic
5. Negative impressions are like a germ
6. You will know
How Does this Relate to Public Relations Management?
Sometimes it’s not about what you know, but who you know in public relations.
When you understand the power of nice, your actions will get paid back—with
interest—when you least expect it and need it the most.

6. Chapter 5: Help Your Enemies
Idea: Helping your opponent can be valuable to your career in the long-run. Your
―enemies‖ are only people who wound your ego.
Some Examples:
• Marla and her ex-boss
• Linda and her son, Michael
How Does this Relate to Public Relations Management?
It’s best to make friends before they can become your enemies. You never know who
is going to be who as you travel the corporate ladder—so be nice along the way.

7. Chapter 6: Tell the Truth
Idea: Honesty is valued within many societies. When you tell one lie, you have to
tell another to keep track of the previous one. Soon your spending all your energy
not building your company, but managing your lies.
Some Examples:
• Conspiracy of Fools
• Faking it sometimes doesn’t make it
How Does this Relate to Public Relations Management?
Corporate social responsibility is important within organizations. We’ve seen the
damaging relationships from Enron that could have been prevented by being noble.
The truth doesn’t always have to hurt.

8. Chapter 8: Shut Up and Listen
Idea: People will tell you information (and even help you) when you make it
about them.
Some Examples:
• Ask, don’t tell
• Don’t argue so much
How Does this Relate to Public Relations Management?
Everyone is worth a listen—even the most unimportant person in the room. Some of
the best inventions and solutions came from people who listened.

9. Summary
What Aspects Did You Agree With?
• ―Yes‖ your way to the top
• Put your head on their shoulders
What Aspects Did You Disagree With?
• The examples used in Chapter 5: Help Your Enemies—too abstract
Any Unanswered Questions That Were Left Out?
• How to control your emotions

10. Summary Cont’
Would You Recommend this Book to Others? ✓
•Well-Written
• Real-Life Situations
• Personable
• Insightful
• ―Feel Good‖ Effect

11. References
Kaplan Thaler, L., & Koval, R. (2006). The power of nice: how to
conquer the business world with kindness. New York: Currency
Doubleday.