Reflect on how your childhood or early development may be contributing to your current approval-seeking behavior. In many cases, a tendency to seek approval at work stems from something in your past. 

For example, were you taught to respect authority growing up? If so, you may feel uncom...

Research has shown that social rejection activates many of the same brain regions involved in physical pain, which helps explains why disapproval stings.

If you usually seek approval, focus on improving processes, rather than achieving a particular outcome.

When you focus your energy on one singular result (getting a promotion or raise for example) you attach your self-worth to external standards—which may be outside of your control.

You're in this territory if you:

• Change or downplay your point of view to appease your boss or agree with the rest of the team in meetings.
• Compliment colleagues’ work, so they’ll like you.
• Always say yes to requests for your time, even if it means comp...

By understanding that there is abundant room for growth, improvement, and success, you free yourself from needing approval from others.