#258: Breaking Down Nice vs. Kind: A Deep Dive with Ben Guttmann

The Toastmasters Podcast with Greg Gazin with Ryan Levesque and Bo Bennett

The Toastmasters Podcast is a talkshow designed to amplify the Toastmaster magazine content, featuring interviews with Toastmasters, contributors and those connected with the articles of this monthly publication. ALL 250+ Episodes can be found at ToastmastersPodcast.com.

[24:39] The words "Kind" and "Nice" are simple words often used interchangeably as synonyms without thought, but they can often carry entirely different connotations. In the episode we speak with marketing executive, communications expert and author Ben Guttmann, who will explore the differences, explain when and how each can be used, and how why one of them is key to better communication.

We'll also hear how sometimes it's okay to be kind and not nice, and learn the three principles of Benefits, Focus, and Empathy that Ben shares to help show kindness when it comes to feedback,.

Ben’s article: "Kind vs. Nice Communication: Learn how to deliver an effective and considerate evaluation," can be found in the May 2024 edition of Toastmaster Magazine.

Ben Guttmann is an experienced marketing executive and communications expert and author of Simply Put: Why Clear Messages Win — and How to Design Them. He is on a mission – to help leaders to more effectively connect by simplifying their message. 

Ben is the former co-founder and managing partner at Digital Natives Group, an award-winning agency that worked with the NFL, I Love NY, Comcast NBCUniversal, The Nature Conservancy, and other major clients. 

Currently, Ben teaches digital marketing at Baruch College in New York City and consults with a range of thought leaders, venture-backed startups, and other brands.

Ben lives in New York City, NY, and can be reached at BenGuttmann.com, where you find his book, get a few free chapters and sign up for his newsletter