Do You Need to Announce Your Worth?
Rajen Garabadu
Content Creator & Producer | Author, Nuggets From Lived Experiences | Stories That Can Help You
Have you ever met someone who constantly reminds others of her value? Maybe she’s a wonderful person—kind, capable, and accomplished. People admire her, respect her, and appreciate her presence.
Yet, she feels the need to say it. Again and again.
And you wonder—why?
Why does someone so obviously valuable feel compelled to justify her worth? Why must she recount how others admire, respect, or depend on her?
Maybe she doesn’t even realise she’s doing it. Perhaps it’s just a habit, an unconscious loop of self-affirmation. Or maybe—deep down—she’s afraid that if she stops saying it, people might stop seeing it.
The Trap of Seeking Validation
We all crave recognition. It's human nature. But here’s the paradox:
The more we try to prove our worth, the less convincing it becomes.
Imagine someone who quietly excels and gets things done without paying attention. They don’t have to tell you how good they are. And because they don’t seek validation, their impact is even more substantial. Now, compare that to someone who constantly reminds you of their greatness. No matter how talented they are, it starts to feel... excessive after a point. It's almost like they’re trying to convince themselves as much as they are convincing you.
Why Do We Do This
It’s easy to fall into this pattern. Maybe:
Here’s the irony: Constantly seeking validation often has the opposite effect—it makes others less likely to give it to you.
The Quiet Power of Knowing Your Worth
There’s something magnetic about people who don’t need to announce their greatness. They just are.
They walk into a room with quiet confidence. They do their work with excellence without broadcasting it. They trust their value is recognised—not because they say so, but because it simply is.
If you know your worth, you don’t have to prove it. If you don’t, no amount of proving will ever feel enough.
A Simple Shift in Perspective
If you find yourself constantly explaining your value, pause and ask:
Who am I trying to convince—others or myself?
What if I let my actions speak instead?
And if you know someone who does this, it can be tricky to tell them. Not everyone takes feedback well, especially about something so personal.
But sometimes, the message finds its way—subtly, indirectly, or even through something as simple as this post. Because those who need to hear it will recognise themselves in these words.
You don’t have to prove anything. Just be. That’s enough.
Energy Transition Leader; Energy, Sustainability, Climate Change. Energy investment and commercial
1 周There is a big difference between seeking self validation and showcasing your work. Often people confuse the two. In the corporate world, just doing good work isn't enough. You need to know how to showcase it to the right audience without being boastful. The golden rule is to do good work, and 'be seen to be doing good work' and the second isn't always a given. But it needs to be done in a highly subtle sophisticated manner or you end up even worse! Most people learn this the hard way...
Executive Coach | Leadership Transformation Partner for CXOs & Senior Leaders | Empowering Leaders to Drive Impactful Growth | Top 100 Global Coaches | Former COO & Business Head | MD & Founder, ABrighterLife
1 周So well written Rajen ??
Sound Designer at Depot Records
1 周What a fantastic thought to start the day ! Rajen - your choice of topic equally stuns and pleases, food for the soul.
Consultant | Creative & Production
1 周The trick is in the subtle art of spotlighting yourself without being boastful. One corporate hack i wish I had :)
Event Manager | Venue Manager | Match Day Manager | Sports Events Venue Operations | Cricket Operations | First-Class Cricket Umpire
1 周We tend to seek validation when we are unsure about us. We doubting ourselves is far more detrimental than others doubting us. In recent times, as per my experience, people from whom we seek validation, just because they are in a higher position, are sometimes incapable of validating us. As long as we are confident, things will come our way, maybe not sooner, but for sure