Working in a toxic environment can be detrimental to our mental health, and it can be hard to recover from such an environment. A toxic work environment can create numerous psychological and physical issues and can harm both your productivity and your performance at work. Passive-aggressive behavior from your manager or colleagues with boundless egos is only a part of the problem.

Sometimes, however, we are lucky enough to be in a great work environment with great supervisors and colleagues, yet we still don’t feel as productive and motivated as we are supposed to. Why? Because we create the problem.

According to a recent study, 79% of remote and in-office workers feel the need to take action to prove their productivity to colleagues and management, indicating a focus on visibility over actual output. This means that they prioritize actions that make them appear busy rather than focusing on actual work output. This phenomenon is called "pleasanteeism," and apart from being toxic, it can impede our career progress.

What is pleasanteeism?

Pleasanteeism is generally when employees feel pressured to be perpetually happy and positive, even when they feel stressed, depressed, or unhappy. Yes, work may always have challenges, but the tendency to pleasanteeism wears workers down in the long run.

Pleasanteeism isn't simply about being polite or professional. It's a calculated performance, a facade designed to conceal genuine feelings of burnout, frustration, or unhappiness. Employees engaging in pleasanteeism often:

Suppress negative emotions: They consistently avoid expressing concerns, disagreements, or any sign of distress, even when warranted.

Overcommit and overdeliver: They take on excessive workloads, rarely say “no," and strive for perfection, even at the expense of their personal time and well-being.

Maintain a perpetually positive demeanor: They project an image of persistent enthusiasm and contentment, regardless of their actual emotional state.

Prioritize appearances over authenticity: They focus on maintaining a positive perception, even if it means sacrificing their needs and values.

How to recognize pleasanteeism

Pleasanteeism is often difficult to detect, both in yourself and others, as it masks itself behind a facade of positivity. However, certain telltale signs can reveal its presence. Despite appearing energetic, people engaging in pleasanteeism often experience persistent fatigue, sleep disturbances, and declining productivity. While they may participate in meetings and social events, their contributions are often superficial, lacking depth and genuine enthusiasm. They fear appearing incompetent or weak, leading them to shoulder excessive burdens and avoid asking for help.

People who tend to please others usually prioritize the needs and expectations of others, often at the expense of their well-being and career goals. Suppressed frustrations can manifest as subtle forms of resentment, such as procrastination, missed deadlines, or veiled criticism. Also, people with pleasanteeism tendencies, usually show a disconnect between outward appearance and inner feelings. If you or a colleague consistently appear overly cheerful despite challenging circumstances, it could be a sign of hidden distress.

The toxic impact of pleasanteeism on your career

While it might seem like a short-term strategy for maintaining a positive image, pleasanteeism can have long-term detrimental effects on your career. If you constantly suppress your concerns and avoid challenges, you limit your learning, development, and improvement opportunities. Your creativity can also take a hit since when you're constantly focused on maintaining appearances, you're less likely to take risks or explore new ideas that could benefit your company. Over time, colleagues may perceive your endless positivity as disingenuous, decreasing trust and collaboration. And, of course, the constant pressure to pretend that everything goes smoothly can take a significant toll on your mental and physical health, with burnout, stress, and depression waiting around the corner. Real problems are not addressed when everyone pretends everything is fine, which can eventually create a toxic work environment.

How to overcome pleasanteeism

People pleasing can be difficult to overcome, and it needs a lot of effort and patience; it won’t happen overnight. You need to be self-aware and recognize your emotions, positive or negative, without suppressing negative feelings. That doesn’t mean you should be constantly upset whenever something challenging happens. It mainly means being assertive when you express your needs and setting boundaries respectfully and confidently. Sharing your concerns and challenges with trusted colleagues or mentors is always beneficial. And learning to say "no" to excessive workloads and unrealistic expectations is a key way to overcome pleasanteeism.