Start by actively listening to their concerns and validating their feelings. Encourage them to identify their strengths and accomplishments, helping them recognize their worth. Suggest setting clear, achievable goals and advocating for themselves by communicating their needs to management. Role-playing difficult conversations can build their confidence. Additionally, encourage them to seek feedback regularly, fostering a culture of open communication. Remind them to celebrate small wins, reinforcing their value and capability in the workplace.

Feeling undervalued can be a heavy burden, and I’ve been there. In my journey coaching C-suite leaders, I've discovered that reclaiming your confidence starts with self-reflection. Ask yourself: what are my unique contributions? Celebrate those achievements, however small. Next, seek constructive feedback from trusted colleagues. This opens the door to dialogue and shows your commitment to growth. Remember, communication is key; articulate your needs and aspirations with clarity. Finally, invest in your professional development. Attend workshops, read, or even seek mentorship. Empowering yourself not only boosts your confidence but signals to others that you value your worth. Let’s redefine how you view appreciation at work.

Sometimes if one feels undervalued at work, you are in the wrong environment or team. You could of course highlight your achievements to your peers and management. Sometimes our need for external validation however goes far deeper and hence looking at what drives you for need for validation may need to be explored. Of course we all feel more positive in an environment where we feel valued and appreciated, and hence the main action may be to change roles / employer.

I work with clients to re frame the problem. It can be disheartening to feel unappreciated and I ask open questions to ascertain if this is how the client feels about themselves or is this a real situation in the workplace. We often bring our whole selves to work, that includes worries about relationships, kids, the mortgage etc. Once I have a clarified there is a real work issue then I encourage my client to consider training and joining new networks to refresh their skills and meet new people in their industry. It's easy to become stuck. I remind clients that they have to be proactive and refresh their learning, networks, volunteer for projects. Meeting new people is key as hearing about others can also bring another perspective.