My client Simon had earned a reputation as a kind, collaborative leader that others loved to be around. He was the type who took the time to ask how your family was doing, to check in and make sure your team wasn’t overburdened, and to provide mentorship during challenging situations. Employees, regardless of their rank, found Simon easy to talk to and felt that he genuinely cared about their opinions — unlike other directors at the company.
Overcoming Your Need for Constant Validation at Work
How to strike the right balance between trusting yourself and considering what others think.
December 08, 2023
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Summary.
Letting go of the need for constant approval at work doesn’t mean you have to stop caring. In fact, the most effective leaders are those who balance empathy and decisiveness, conviction and compassion, and warmth and strength. In this article, the author offers strategies for how to mitigate an excessive need for approval at work: 1) Do a gut check. The next time you’re faced with a choice, ask yourself: “Am I doing this because I believe it’s the right course of action, or because I want to be seen a certain way?” 2) Formulate your own opinions first. 3) Try the “so what?” test. 4) Wait 24 hours before responding to contentious or charged issues 5) Keep promises you make to yourself.