{
  "id": 11460873,
  "title": "I've always been a people-pleaser. I got better at my job when I stopped caring about being liked.",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/ive-always-been-a-people-pleaser-i-got-better-at-my-job-when-i",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-10-02T14:22:01.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Business Insider",
    "slug": "business-insider",
    "url": "https://www.businessinsider.com/stopped-people-pleasing-better-at-job-2026-10"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Asha Dore reflects on how prioritizing politeness and likability over honesty impeded collaboration. She discovered that being direct and honest, despite the discomfort it initially caused, yielded better outcomes. Despite the pressure to be likable, especially as a woman, Dore realized that her people-pleasing behavior actually hindered effective communication and collaboration. After becoming ill, her blunt communication style led to a surprising positive reaction from a parent, prompting her to reconsider her approach. She now strives to be both kind and honest, using clear and straightforward language to facilitate better understanding and stronger partnerships.",
  "summary": "I have a history of people-pleasing. When I realized it was more important to be direct and honest than to be liked, I changed my approach.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}