When you are at the early stages of your career it’s easy to feel the need to always say yes. Career girls trying to climb the workplace ladder can often get caught in the trap of being a people-pleaser.
However, be aware that being a yes woman may cause issues in the workplace. Here are 5 ways being a people-pleaser can backfire:
#1 Your own workload suffers.
Does your boss always ask you for favours and you feel it is impossible to say no? It’s important to look at the impact on your own work. Agreeing to every task without evaluating your own capacity is foolish. If you fail to reach your target or complete that report on time, it will reflect badly on you.
#2 It may actually be detrimental to your boss’s opinion of you.
Saying yes to each and every task may seem like the best way to get your boss onside. Be careful, it may actually be detrimental. There’s a fine line between keen and desperate. Make sure to stay on the right side.
#3 Colleague resentment.
Every career girl knows the importance of workplace relationships. Keeping fellow workers onside is key to success in the office. If you are constantly at the beck and call of your superiors it is sure to cause friction among your co-workers.
#4 The one time you actually try to say no, nobody will believe you.
People may think once a people-pleaser, always a people-pleaser. There will be a time when you try to say no and you will not be taken seriously. This will mean you either get stuck with the task or upset the boss if you try to stick to your guns. Neither of which are ideal.
#5 Your health may suffer.
Being the office doormat is no fun. On a serious note, agreeing to do everything asked of you all the time could have a serious impact on your wellbeing. Every career girl knows the importance of a work-life balance. If you take on too much there is a high risk you will fall ill.
It’s going to be difficult to change and it won’t happen overnight. Take small positive steps to move forward and realise sometimes it is ok to say no!
By Catherine Murphy
