The Price of Nice

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Many of us follow the quote: "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." But that advice isn't always helpful. In the workplace, people often choose niceness over honesty in order to avoid hurt feelings or conflict. The truth is, there are hidden costs of "niceness" that allow inequities to endure, projects to fail, and organizations to stagnate. Growth comes from courageous conversations and genuine, authentic action.

Join us for an exclusive session with Amira Barger, CVA as we discuss her book The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck and 4 Actions for Real Change.  This practical guide shows how to move past superficial workplace "niceness" to create real change through a proven four-step approach. Readers will learn how to transform toxic positivity into authentic feedback, drive measurable performance improvements, and build psychologically safe teams that deliver results. 

Presenter:

Amira Barger is an award-winning Executive Vice President of Communications and Change Management, offering senior counsel on reputation management and strategic communications to clients worldwide. She is also the author of The Price of Nice: Why Comfort Keeps Us Stuck—And 4 Actions for Real Change (coming October 28, 2025), a bold examination of “niceness” as a harmful social construct that upholds inequity—and a rallying call for those ready to create real, lasting change.

A scholar, practitioner, and thought leader, Amira brings more than 20 years of expertise in strategic communications, mobilizing communities, influencing stakeholders, and driving action. She has global experience in pharma/healthcare communications, corporate branding, media relations, sustainability/social impact, reputation management, and DEI, with M&A and crisis communications expertise.

A dedicated educator, Amira serves as a Professor of Marketing, Communications, and Change Management at California State University East Bay, where she joined the faculty in 2019. 

Training Provider for this Event: Idealist

Track: Communication