Self-Worth & Identity
September 6, 2026
What Are You Hoping Their Approval Will Give You?
Sometimes we aren’t simply looking for someone’s approval. We’re hoping their response will give us reassurance, permission, confidence, or proof that we made the right choice. The useful distinction is noticing when another person’s opinion stops being information and starts determining how we feel about ourselves.
People pleasing isn’t always about wanting everyone to like you.
Sometimes another person’s approval becomes reassurance that you made the right decision, didn’t disappoint someone, or are doing enough.
A useful self-leadership question is:
What am I hoping their approval would give me?
Noticing the answer can help separate useful feedback from relying on someone else’s reaction to decide how you feel about yourself.