Growing up in Iowa, Allie Jones was immersed in a culture of “Iowa nice,” a brand of politeness defined by being helpful, agreeable, and perpetually pleasant. So not surprisingly, niceness became a core value for Allie, one that was reinforced by her community, but also complicated by its shadow: the tendency to avoid hard conversations and uncomfortable truths in favor of small talk and surface-level connections.
Early in her career as a third-grade teacher, she poured herself into her students, striving to live up to the expectations of hard work and service. But as she recounts, supportive words from administrators weren’t matched with real action, and the relentless pace of changing curricula and high standards left her burnt out. When she realized that staying in the classroom would be the wrong kind of responsible, she left teaching, took a sabbatical to explore the country, house sat, and dipped her toes into freelance writing and marketing.
Navigating this period of uncertainty, Allie was challenged by the perennial question, “Who am I if I’m not what I do?” She realized that so many of our identities are tied up in our job titles and professional achievements, but true fulfillment lay in embracing her transferable skills, resiliency, and capacity for connection.
Allie now has an intention to cultivate a new version of “Iowa kind,” because there’s a difference between nice and kind. This version is rooted in authentic connection and courageous conversation, not just politeness.
As a business and leadership consultant, Allie is also helping others step into their own authenticity.
Listen in to hear her story of moving beyond the safety of “nice” to the richer, more complicated rewards of being kind, in community, conversation, and career. In facing discomfort and embracing change, Allie models what it means to answer the question “How are you?” with truth and intentionality.
Allie’s hype song is Honeypie by JAWNY
RESOURCES
Invitation from Lori:
This episode is sponsored by Zen Rabbit. Smart leaders know trust is the backbone of a thriving workplace, and in today’s hybrid whirlwind, it doesn’t grow from quarterly updates or the occasional Slack ping. It grows from steady, human communication.
Plenty of companies think they’re doing great because they host all-staff meetings, keep “open door” policies, and throw the occasional team-building event. Meanwhile, leaders who truly care about culture are choosing better tools.
That’s where I come in. Forward-thinking organizations bring me in to create internal podcasts that connect people through real stories, honest conversations, and genuine community—your old printed newsletter reinvented for the way people actually work now.
If you run, work for, or know a company ready to upgrade communication and strengthen culture, reach out at Lori@ZenRabbit dot com.
Because when people feel heard, they engage. When they engage, they perform. And when they perform, the business succeeds beyond projections.
