Stop chasing approval: Ankur Warikoo shares 5 tips to earn respect at work

In the workplace, being taken seriously isn’t just about doing your job well—it’s about how you carry yourself and interact with others. Too often, people get stuck chasing approval, constantly seeking nods of agreement or validation, and end up losing influence instead. Ankur Warikoo, entrepreneur and mentor, explains how this dynamic plays out and shares actionable strategies to earn respect without compromising your individuality. His insights are shaping how thousands approach professional relationships today.

Ankur Warikoo recently shared that people can sense when approval matters more than your opinion, and when that happens, respect fades. Not everyone needs to agree with you, but your ideas deserve to stand on their own. To help navigate these situations, he outlined five practical ways to handle coworkers, managers, and colleagues who don’t take you seriously.

Address being overlooked

If your inputs are ignored, boundaries tested, or decisions made without you, don’t stay silent. Ask for clear timelines, next steps, or answers. By addressing the situation, you signal that being overlooked isn’t acceptable.

Reduce availability, not effort

Working less isn’t the goal. Instead, be intentional about when and how you engage. When access to you feels deliberate, people take your contributions more seriously, and the quality of interactions improves.

Detach self-worth from being liked

Constantly trying to please everyone weakens your individuality. Your actions and opinions should stand independently, without relying on approval from others. This builds authentic respect over time.

State consequences clearly

If work keeps being reassigned, conversations postponed, or limits crossed, communicate consequences calmly and clearly. Showing the impact of choices ensures accountability without emotional escalation.