In defense of people pleasing

A case for dismissing the “boundaries” discourse in your early career.

If millennials entered the workforce during the era of “hustle culture,” Gen Z entered during the era of “boundaries.” I know you’ve seen the TikTok therapists and career gurus preach about "protecting your peace.” You’ve read about “lazy girl jobs” and “quiet quitting.”

Look familiar?

I get it. Boundaries are valuable. But if you love your job and have big ambitions, let me offer a countercultural recommendation for your early career. Throw your boundaries out the window. Say yes to everything and everyone. Make yourself indispensable. Though it opposes today’s work discourse, this approach accelerated my career trajectory and might do the same for you.

Of course, this isn't equally feasible for everyone — life circumstances vary — but here's my story of being a yes-person early in my career. If it speaks to you, I hope it allows you to lean in and ignore the current cultural commentary.

My strategy in action

When I was 24, I landed at Well+Good as their seventh employee. My previous job was with a big media conglomerate (I hated it), so I was thrilled to work somewhere that actually felt like a fit. I had read Well+Good religiously for years prior, including at college in western Massachusetts, though the site only covered the wellness scene in NYC.

Naturally, I became obsessed with my job. I adored the industry, the internal culture, the brands we partnered with, and the team. I worked nights and weekends, attended tons of events, and produced many more. I have fond memories — yes, genuinely fond memories — of working in bed on Saturday mornings while furiously texting with my boss. From the outside, this dynamic probably resembled textbook people pleasing. Internally, it felt very different.

Then, nearly two years in, opportunity knocked: a senior marketer resigned, and I was offered her role — and her salary.

Making myself indispensable didn’t guarantee a promotion, and I can’t promise your effort will have the same outcome. What I can promise is that by strategically overdelivering, you’ll learn at an accelerated pace, build confidence, and expand your professional network. I figured out what I was capable of because I pushed myself to try.

When saying “yes” makes strategic sense

This approach is not for everyone. It’s a deliberate career strategy for specific circumstances:

• You genuinely love your work

• You have big professional goals

• You have the energy and capacity to give more

• You’re in a supportive environment that recognizes effort

• You’re in a growth phase of your career

A few watch-outs

If that sounds like you, check in frequently. Monitor your energy to make sure you’re learning a lot, feel respected, and still have enough time for yourself. Usually, boundaries come naturally. You’ll know when a line has been crossed or you’ve outgrown your overextension.

And a final reminder: If you’re a people manager, you have a responsibility to your direct reports. Do not assign extra work outside of role scope because you want to take on more — unless they ask for it.

The benefits (beyond a promotion)

Going all-in early on brings rewards beyond a bigger title and paycheck.

By hustling in marketing roles at media startups, I tried out advertising sales, media planning, event production, influencer marketing, and more. This experience helped me broaden my skills and develop a well-rounded understanding of the business, making me a more versatile marketer. And, nothing reveals what you excel at faster than trying everything. It’s easy to think you’ll love something when you’ve never done it before.

Lastly, going above and beyond builds trust with colleagues across departments and creates advocates for your career. My network from those early days continues to open doors years later.

Knowing when to shift gears

While I’m grateful for this period of my career, I felt a visceral shift over the last few years. As my responsibilities grew, they demanded more of my energy. I couldn’t say yes to every project outside my scope — not only because I didn’t want to, but because I literally didn’t have the time. When an entire function of a business is your responsibility, spreading yourself too thin becomes irresponsible.

For me, this realization emerged as a gut feeling, but you might notice other signs:

• You feel resentment rather than enthusiasm about new opportunities

• Your pace of learning has decreased

• The quality of your work has declined

• Your efforts have stopped being acknowledged

• You’re experiencing physical or mental health impacts

A change of circumstances can also impact how you approach work. Maybe you’re starting a family, caring for a loved one, or have another area of your life requiring your attention.

A season, not a lifetime

The strategic “yes” approach works best as a temporary, not permanent setting. It can accelerate your early growth, but will likely yield diminishing returns over time. The real skill is knowing when to evolve.

The current conversation about boundaries is important, too. I’m happy to see the pendulum swing away from hustle-at-all-costs culture. But, as with most things, the best approach sits somewhere in the middle: a period of intentional overcommitment early on, followed by a more selective focus as you advance in your industry.

What’s your reaction to the career discourse online? I’m genuinely curious. If you also took the “say yes” approach in your early career, how has it worked out so far?

Have a question about your career? Ask me anything.