People Pleasing at Work: Here's Why It's Burning You Out

Honest Hour
Sep 27, 2024
2 min read

Updated: Jul 18

Stressed woman sitting at a desk with her head down and thumbs up, surrounded by work folders and a laptop

Being a people pleaser can feel like a full-time job—especially if you're already in a role where caring for others is literally in your job description. But constantly putting others first comes at a cost: your energy, your peace, your sense of self.

Maybe you say yes even when you're exhausted. Maybe you avoid conflict like the plague. Maybe you feel guilty just thinking about setting a boundary.

Let’s be honest: people pleasing often looks like being nice, but it’s really about fear—fear of rejection, disapproval, or not being needed.

You're not alone. You’ve just been taught that keeping others comfortable matters more than your own capacity.

Spot the Signs of People Pleasing at Work

You Overwork to Keep Others Happy

Do you say yes even when you’re drowning? Take on more to prove you’re a team player?

When your worth feels tied to how much you give, it’s easy to ignore your limits. But constantly pushing yourself to meet everyone else’s needs can lead straight to burnout.

Reminder: You don’t have to earn your value by overextending yourself.

You Stay Quiet to Keep the Peace

Maybe you bite your tongue in meetings. Or you water down your feelings to avoid rocking the boat.

Especially for high-achievers raised around emotional criticism or unrealistic expectations, speaking up can feel like failure. But your thoughts, feelings, and needs matter. You deserve spaces where you don’t have to shrink just to succeed.

You Over-Apologizing for Everything

Do you say sorry… for just existing? For asking a question? For not being perfect?

Many people pleasers carry the fear of being seen as “too much” or “not enough.” But constant apologizing chips away at your self-trust. You are allowed to make mistakes. You’re allowed to take up space.