People pleasers can find it hard to say no to things at work. This can promote anxiety and intense stress. Mental health experts share how to regain confidence and keep a pleasing attitude at bay during work hours.

A people-pleasing attitude can mentally exhaust a person. The mental exhaustion worsens when a people-pleasing attitude does not feel like a choice and just happens all the time. Mental health experts reveal how people who are assertive and find it hard to say no politely can make things difficult. It is important to set boundaries before you step up the ladder of escalating mental health issues. It is important to get rid of this vicious cycle or you can end up compromising work-life boundaries.

People-pleasing behavior can have huge consequences on the health of the employee. Many employee assistance programs emphasize ways to regain confidence and still be assertive in a work environment. 

Reasons for People Pleasing Attitude at Work

• A fear of disapproval or rejection can make employees worry about what saying no could mean. They agree to work to avoid strained relationships and delayed career advancement.
• People in India are conditioned to avoid conflict and seek approval. Employees carry over this attitude in their workplace to reduce professional consequences.
• A people-pleasing attitude comes from a deep need for approval or validation. Employees with low self-esteem overwork out of the fear of losing professional standing.
• A fear of confrontation can make people worry about confrontation in the workplace. They worry employers could perceive saying no as laziness.
• Employees who believe they can handle everything develop a people-pleasing attitude at the workplace to ensure the highest outcome.
• An employee juggling with multiple deadlines can hesitate or refuse last-minute requests. They might take up the job just because they don’t want to look unreliable. This can result in poor-quality work and also impact their well-being.

How Being Available Impacts Mental Health

• Being available can cause emotional as well as physical exhaustion. Employees who work consistently can experience reduced focus and mental fatigue.
• Being available can cause chronic stress levels as well as increase anxiety. Late-night work or last-minute requests can weaken immune function and even cause hypertension.
• Employees can make mistakes. They can forget details and struggle with problem-solving. This is how overload can create a cycle of underperforming employees.
• Sleep disturbances and headaches are common signs of mental health fatigue and exhaustion.
• Excessive work commitments can create feelings of social withdrawal and loneliness.
• People-pleasing attitudes can even develop anxiety disorders or depression in employees.

Ways to Be Assertive in the Workplace

• Start by expressing appreciation and gratitude for the request. This shows you respect and value the task even if you are declining it.
• Provide a clear explanation without excuses and over-apologizing.
• Suggest redistributing the task or adjusting the deadline of the task.

Be transparent about the workload with your employer. Communicate clearly about the work hours and deliver work within those limits.