Ever since Bob Sutton wrote The No Asshole Rule, there's been a pretty broad movement underway to eradicate dysfunctional jerks from the workplace. I've got a problem with that for a number of reasons.
1. Judging character is entirely subjective. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. So are most human attributes. And different business cultures accept different types of behavior.
2. Everyone's a jerk sometimes. Even you.
3. Jerks have a right to work too. And they can be great workers. Bosses, too.
All that said, there are lots of very good reasons why, all things being equal, you should at least try to be nice to people, especially in this era of social media and political correctness.
Now, don't get me wrong. I'm not saying you should be a pushover, a doormat, weak, or any other negative quality that people often associate with being nice. You can be a fierce competitor, a strong leader who fights to win and takes no prisoners, and still be nice. Fair. Professional.
And you should, because it's good for your career and your business. Not only that, but it'll probably make you happier, too. Here's why.
Source: http://www.inc.com/steve-tobak/why-you-should-be-nice-to-people.html?cid=em01020week12b&nav=su