Some might say, “Yes, of course, because we exist to please people.”
While it’s true that every business (hopefully) exists to serve people, animals, or nature, being a people pleaser in business is not conducive to a long-term, steady, and healthy business. Nor is it good for your personal health and happiness.
What Does People Pleasing Really Mean?
People-pleasing often stems from past trauma. Many women in business unknowingly adopt this trait to gain approval or protect themselves from emotional or physical harm. By constantly making others feel good, we hope they’ll return the favor—but that’s not always the case.
In my own experience, I became a people pleaser because my narcissistic mother was never satisfied. Each time I met her demands, she raised her standards, leaving me constantly chasing her approval and love.
But Monika, if I stop being a people pleaser, won’t I become selfish and stop giving as much as I do now?
This belief is false. When you heal your people-pleasing behavior, you actually give more—because you’re coming from a place of wholeness and confidence. You’ll give joyfully, from abundance—not fear or obligation.
1.You’ll give more of what brings you joy because you know your worth.
2.You’ll gain respect by setting healthy boundaries and teaching others how to treat you.
When you’re stuck in a people-pleasing mindset, you forget about yourself. Your energy goes outward—neglecting your own needs, and often, your business goals as a woman entrepreneur
How Does People Pleasing Affect Your Business?
1. Overcompensation
You may try every strategy to make your brand or service appealing to everyone. This leads to a scattered focus, burnout, and confusion about your message and mission.
Business tips for women entrepreneurs often suggest clarity and consistency—and people pleasing works against both.
➡️ Reminder: An apple tree doesn’t grow peaches.
Your offers need focus. Centralizing your brand and understanding what you really want to offer is key. Once you know your purpose, you can scale your business through smart, intentional outreach.
2. Too Many Offers
In trying to please everyone, you may create an overwhelming number of offers. But less is more.
Your business truly starts when you sell a single product or service that helps clients—and then you sell more of what works, customized to their needs.
Think like an apple tree: grow apples, not peaches.
3. Overpromising
You may overpromise and underdeliver—not because you’re dishonest, but because you haven’t set realistic expectations or boundaries.
Setting boundaries in business is essential to maintaining trust and delivering high-value service without burning out.
➡️ Reminder: An apple tree still grows apples—even when someone demands peaches.
4. Stress and Burnout from People Pleasing
Stress from neglecting yourself, feeling guilty, or working excessively builds up. But it’s not just the work—it’s the emotional burnout from carrying others’ expectations.
Work alone usually doesn’t lead to emotional exhaustion. It’s the unhealed beliefs, like “I need to be humble and overgive,” that drain you.
Just like an apple tree needs nourishment, so do you. Don’t let the people pleaser mindset rob you of your success, joy, or health.
5. Loss of Authority in Sales
Confidence sells. When you’re a people pleaser, you give away your authority as a businesswoman.
But people want to follow leaders—especially those who take care of what they cannot or don’t want to.
Be like the apple tree: grounded, reliable, and true to your nature.
6. Micromanaging
As a people pleaser, you often feel like you can’t afford to make a mistake—because deep down, you believe one wrong move could lead to rejection, criticism, or failure.
That’s why you try to control everything.
You micromanage, you do all the work yourself, and you try to keep every tiny detail under control—even things that don’t really matter.
You check everything twice.
You correct others’ mistakes quietly.
You hide your own.
And in the process… you exhaust yourself.
But here’s the truth:
Trying to control everything is not a sign of leadership—it’s a trauma response.
It’s fear, dressed up as perfection.
And it blocks your growth.
Because a thriving business requires trust, collaboration, and space to make mistakes—and learn from them.
Let yourself loosen the grip.
Let others support you.
And let your business breathe.
7. Marketing Confusion
When you’re a people pleaser, you constantly doubt your messaging. You fear criticism and end up not posting or promoting at all.
This leads to procrastination—and a lack of marketing momentum. But putting your message out there—even imperfectly—is better than hiding your brilliance.
Business mindset for women means showing up consistently, learning from mistakes, and ignoring haters. Even apple trees grow a few rotten apples. They don’t quit. Neither should you.
8. Solving the Wrong Problems
As a people pleaser, you may try to solve all of your client’s problems—even the ones unrelated to your business.
In my past roles as a massage and aromatherapy therapist, I found myself becoming a life counselor.
Yes, clients come with emotional baggage—but that doesn’t mean you’re responsible for healing every part of their lives.
Your job is to solve the problem your business is built for. Stay in your lane, and be the expert they trust—not the one who bends over backward to please.
9. You Miss Red Flags and Sales Objections
Clients who hesitate aren’t always rejecting you—they may be held back by their own fears or beliefs.
But people pleasers often take these objections personally, assuming their service isn’t good enough. This creates pushy sales tactics rooted in insecurity.
Instead, understand where the objection comes from—and lead from empathy, not fear. This builds trust and long-term client relationships.
How Can You Stop People Pleasing in Business?
Here are 4 transformational steps toward becoming a confident
businesswoman. called “The Tranformative Circle”:
1. Acknowledge the Pattern
Recognize where you’re overgiving and what triggers it. Make a list. See the
bigger picture. Remember: you weren’t born a people pleaser—you were
conditioned.
2. Be Honest with Yourself
It’s okay to feel resistance, shame, or discomfort. But emotional
health in business starts with honesty and self-compassion.
3. Release What No Longer Serves You
Go beyond thought shifts. Release the energetic and emotional patterns that
attract draining situations or energy vampires.
4. Take Inspired Action
Visualize new responses. Set boundaries in real life. Practice standing in your truth. Notice where you’ve grown—and where more healing is needed.
When you heal from people-pleasing in business, you become empowered to lead from your authentic self. You attract clients aligned with your values and build a business rooted in joy and purpose.
💬 Ready to Make the Shift?
If you want to join my program: “How to Become a Confident Businesswoman.”
📌 Click the link for want to know more or facebook group to start the course.
Thank you for reading, and see you in the next one. 🌿
