This 1 Personality Trait May Hold You Back At Work. Is It You?

Are you a “pleasure to work with”?

That could be why you’re not getting ahead at work ― even if you’re good at your job ― according to one viral TikTok.

In the video, a TikToker named Jacqueline claims that people who are “a pleasure to work with” will “never get promoted” because executives “will never allow an employee who is both good at doing the work and good at keeping a smile on their face while doing the work move up the ladder, because they know they can keep serving you shit on a platter, and you’ll eat it with a smile.”

Her theory about the “curse” of being too pleasant has sparked a nerve. The video has been viewed more than 8 million times. But is it backed up by research? Are agreeable people more likely to be exploited and fall behind at work? It depends, experts say.

Why nice, competent people do, sometimes, finish last at work.

In response to the TikTok, commenters to her video said that what Jacqueline was describing actually has a name: “performance punishment.” Similar to a “quiet promotion,” it’s where you get more work dumped on you for being a high-achiever, but you do not get the rewards of a raise or a promotion.

In this case, hardworking agreeable colleagues take on work that consistently goes above and beyond their job title.

Cynthia Pong, founder of Embrace Change, a career coaching and training firm, said a performance punishment mindset in organizations “does exist and can even run rampant.”

“There absolutely is a perverse incentive there for leaders who would prefer that person to stay in the role where the high achiever is extremely competent, reliable and pleasant,” she said, noting that it can be due to the manager worrying if the workload is going to be done or done “with a smile”