Episode 9: Assertive, Not Aggressive – Escaping the Likeability Trap at Work
Description
🎙️ Episode 9: Assertive, Not Aggressive – Escaping the Likeability Trap at Work
People-pleasing, power plays and the hidden cost of being the nice one.
💡 Everyone wants to be seen as competent and kind—but what happens when the pressure to be “likeable” starts holding you back?
From corporate teams to coaching businesses, many professionals feel caught in a silent dilemma: say yes to be liked, or speak up and risk being seen as “the trouble maker” or “drama queen”
But always being the helpful one comes at a cost—resentment, burnout, and a slow erosion of self-trust.
So how do you lead, collaborate, and protect your energy… without turning into someone you’re not?
🔹 “I was so scared of being called aggressive—I went too far the other way.”
🔹 “Saying no isn’t rude. It’s what protects both you and the project.”
🔹 “Kindness without boundaries isn’t kind to you. It’s exhausting.”
In this episode of The Heart of the Equation, Sara Mobarhanfard and Pragati Siddhanti explore the deep-rooted tension between likeability and leadership—especially for women in high-performing environments like STEM, tech, and corporate consulting.
🔑 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
✅ Why the likeability trap affects so many women (and how it shows up at work)
✅ The difference between being kind , being nice and being a people-pleaser
✅ How boundaries create safety—not distance—in professional relationships
✅ What true assertiveness looks like (and why it’s often misunderstood)
✅ Small mindset shifts to build your leadership style without burning out
💡 If you’ve ever felt torn between being a good teammate and standing your ground, this episode will help you find your voice—without losing your values.
📲 Connect with us:
Sara Mobarhanfard: narosibcoaching.com
Anisa Zafar: treeoflifeguru.com
Pragati Siddhanti: myswissstory.com
🔗 Learn more about this podcast : Apply to be a guest
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