E20: The Price of Nice in the Workplace with Amira Barger

Written By Groops Team

🎧 Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts:

What if being “nice” at work is actually holding your team back? In this thought-provoking episode, Amira Barger unpacks the hidden costs of workplace niceness and reveals why embracing discomfort and honest conversation might just be the secret to authentic connection and breakthrough innovation.

Amira Barger is an award-winning Executive Vice President at Edelman, where she leads global DEI advisory and communication strategy, supporting renowned clients like CVS Health, Pfizer, and the CDC. With over 20 years of experience, Amira is also a respected professor at California State University, East Bay, teaching marketing, communication, and change management. A passionate advocate for honest, transformative workplace communication, she is the author of the forthcoming book "The Price of Nice," which challenges traditional notions of niceness in professional environments. Beyond her professional achievements, Amira is a dedicated mother, partner, and devoted dog mom, bringing curiosity, compassion, and real-world wisdom to every conversation.

Below are the key takeaways from this episode:

  • Niceness Isn’t Always Positive: Excessive niceness at work can suppress honest conversations, stifle innovation, and punish those who challenge the norm.

  • Embrace Strategic Nerve: Having the courage to engage in honest, sometimes difficult discussions leads to more authentic relationships and meaningful change.

  • Conflict Avoidance Has Consequences: Skirting conflict for the sake of harmony often breeds resentment and dysfunction within teams.

  • Self-Awareness Matters: Understanding how personal conditioning shapes workplace behavior is crucial for authentic communication and leadership.

  • Direct Communication Drives Results: Open, direct communication isn’t just good for relationships—it’s a proven strategy for building high-performing, connected teams.

Today’s guest, Amira Barger, can be found online at:

Website: https://amirabarger.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amirabarger/

Your host, Dr. Bobbi Wegner, can be found online at:

Groops: https://www.joingroops.com/

Harvard Extension School Faculty Spotlight: https://youtu.be/zwLai-lu-pk?si=GpKNhtxVvTrS3-pu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobbiwegner/

Groops Team
Next

E19: Bridging Generations and Cultures at Work with LaToya Lyn