Be Nice but Set Your Boundary
When I first started working, I do my best to be nicest person in the office. I was the yes man and I would support anything that my boss says. I was well liked; I was given many tasks and responsibilities that are outside of my job scope. Eventually I find myself burn out. I could not lead a team because I could not give firm instructions. I ended up doing many people's job with little results to show.
I left the company feeling bitter and angry. That time I was angry at everyone. I played nice, I refuse to get involved in political games. Yet, I have no future in the company. I felt that I was being taken advantage.
Looking back, if I have to be angry, I should be angry at myself. There is no one else to blame but my lack of courage to lead and defend myself. My heart was at the right place, my actions were wrong. I deserved to be ignored, I deserved to be treated like a door mat. I did not have a firm principal.
You can be a nice person. But you also need to be firm that certain line and certain principle cannot be crossed. You have to stand up for yourself, as no one else would. Have the courage to lead and have the courage to say no. Set the boundary. Protect yourself.