Episode 165: The Hidden Cost of People Pleasing

About the Episode

People pleasing may seem harmless, but it could be costing you far more than you realize. In this episode, Mykie Stiller and Arash Vossoughi unpack how the habit of seeking approval can impact everything from your confidence and decision-making to your income, leadership, and emotional freedom. Together, they explore why people pleasing is rooted in fear rather than kindness and how constantly prioritizing others can erode self-respect over time. Arash explains the difference between genuine service and people pleasing while breaking down how these patterns affect business growth, pricing, culture, and performance under pressure. The conversation also highlights the connection between authenticity and leadership, why setting personal standards matters, and how learning to stop seeking approval can transform the way you lead and live. 

Key Points From This Episode

• Why people pleasing is rooted in fear, not kindness.
• How the need to be liked shapes the way people show up.
• The hidden cost of sacrificing authenticity to avoid conflict.
• Why honesty and genuine service are not the same as people pleasing.
• How people pleasing and shrinking yourself erode self-respect over time.
• The damaging effect that people pleasing can have on leadership and culture.
• How people pleasing influences pricing, productivity, and business growth.
• Why people pleasers often struggle to perform under pressure.
• How setting personal standards helps create emotional freedom.
• Identifying where people pleasing is costing you.
• Deciding to break the habit of people pleasing.

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode

Episode 162: The Identity Shift that Changes Everything Under Pressure

Voss Coaching Co

Voss Coaching Co on LinkedIn

Voss Coaching Co on Instagram

Voss Coaching Co on Facebook

Email Voss Coaching Co

Mykie Stiller on LinkedIn

Mykie Stiller on Instagram

Arash Vossoughi on LinkedIn

Arash Vossoughi on YouTube