Does being too humble hurt you at work? Why shrinking in front of seniors backfires
By Yogesh Pandey · 22 October 2026 · 2 min read
Yes. Being too humble makes people work harder around you. When you shrink, the senior person has to stop, smile and make you feel okay before they can hear your point. Shrinking is not respect. It is extra work for them. The way to respect someone senior is to not shrink.
The sorry that costs them time
“Sorry sir… just one small point… if you have time… sorry.” And now that senior person has to stop, smile and say, “No, no, please, go ahead.” Now they have to make you feel okay.
You think they see respect. What they get is extra work.
What I learned with A-list stars
I learned this working with A-list artists. They did not need me small. They needed me to handle things.
You make them uneasy because you are too polite.
How to respect someone senior
By not shrinking. They do not need you small. They need you there.
- The next time you talk to someone senior, drop the first “sorry”. Just one.
- Say your point.
This started as a talking-head reel. See more at @theyogeshpandey.