Self-Esteem

The SELF-ESTEEM motive relies on an interplay of internal and external experiences of respect and value. Validation from management and your peers is important to you, it reinforces that you are making a valuable contribution to others. At the same time, you also need self-respect and confidence, regardless of outside affirmation. You thrive when you demonstrate your capacity to complete tasks well and can capably use your own talents and skills. Additionally, one of your strongest motivations to perform is being heard and valued. You have thoughts, ideas, and opinions that you want to share, and which you hope others will want to hear. You like feeling that what you bring to the table is both unique and useful, and you enjoy roles that make you feel a sense of importance. This “importance” does not have to be grandiose. Rather, you want for your role, however large or small, to make a difference to your company’s objectives, to the people you work with, and to your own sense of significance. When this motive is met, you feel confident and valued at work. When it is at risk, you’re liable to spend energy trying to guard or defend your role and your worthiness. This drains energy away from your capacity for powerful productivity. You desire to feel that what you do everyday matters, and you hold a deep-seated conviction that what you do can matter. The more positive your self-regard, and the more your colleagues see your contributions as meaningful, the more authentically and productively you are able to show up in the workplace.

You feel this motive being met when…

+ Within your work life, you feel good about who you are and the talents and skills that you possess.

+ Both you and those you work with feel like what you do makes a difference, and like your thoughts are valuable.

+ You know people at work depend on you, and you are capable of meeting or exceeding their expectations.

This motive is at risk when…

– You find you are preoccupied with defending or restoring your own worth in the workplace.

– You feel like a commodity, and like those you work with or for do not notice your contributions.

– You are increasingly unable to find a sense of usefulness in the daily tasks you must achieve.

– The work you do feels irrelevant to your larger goals, or to your company’s larger goals.

A Work Wellness Check-In for SELF-ESTEEM

Does my role at work showcase my strengths and my value? Are my contributions acknowledged? Do I feel I am contributing everything I can or do I have valuable untapped potential I haven’t been able to showcase?
Do I feel like I bring anything unique or special to the table? If I don’t like my answer, are there ways I can incorporate my individual talents or background into what I do that maybe I haven’t tried?
On a scale of 1-10, how valuable do I feel like I am in my current position (to my colleagues, to my company, to clients, or to the mission of my organization – however most matters to me)? (1 = I feel like the work I do is without any specific or meaningful value; 10 = I am irreplaceable in my role, and what I do adds great value)

To what degree do I feel either replaceable or, alternately, indispensable in my job? Am I seen as a key player? Do others perceive my role as important (regardless of whether my position is large or small)?
Do I feel like others depend on me in a healthy and meaningful way? If so, do they acknowledge that they rely on me and appreciate the value I bring?
Have I made any past mistakes that I feel questions my worth and value in my work? If so, what can I do to remedy this?
Do I feel everyone in my work culture treats one another with respect no matter what title they have? That everyone has a voice and values one another’s contributions whether large or small?
What story do I tell myself about my worth and my importance in my job? Is it positive or negative? Does it boost my confidence or detract from it? If my inner dialogue isn’t kind or accurate, what needs to change?

Does my position amplify my natural and personal contributions to a larger picture? Does it limit it?
Do my skills and capabilities match the demands of my job? Do I need more support or training? Are there ways I can build my confidence through learning and seeking greater knowledge?
How often are my ideas well-received and taken into consideration? Do others ask my opinion or perspective on things? If not, why is that? Is it something I can influence?
Is there room for me to express to my boss or others when I would like more feedback? When I get feedback, is it typically constructive or destructive?
Do I treat everyone as worthy at work? Do I contribute to the type of culture I want to be part of?
When I get honest, constructive feedback, how do I handle it?
How often do I feel ignored, silenced, or overlooked? Am I able to speak up when this happens?
Do my interactions with others at work make me feel insignificant or help me to feel like what I do matters?
Do I think my work should speak for itself, or do I think I need to also speak for my work? Are others aware of what I actually do? Do I shy away from sharing my accomplishments? If so, why?