Eager-to-please

Characterized by a strong desire to gain approval or satisfaction from others, often manifested through accommodating behavior, attentiveness to needs, and a willingness to go above and beyond to fulfill requests. This trait can stem from a genuine desire for connection, a fear of disapproval, or a learned behavior developed through early experiences. An eager-to-please individual prioritizes the comfort and happiness of others, sometimes at the expense of their own needs or desires. It is a behavior pattern that can be seen as positive, enabling strong social bonds, or as negative, where it may contribute to co-dependency. The level of 'eagerness' varies between individuals.

Eager-to-please meaning with examples

• Sarah, always eager-to-please, volunteered to organize the office party, taking on extra tasks like decorations and food. Her colleagues appreciated her efforts, though she occasionally felt overwhelmed. Despite feeling this way, Sarah consistently put others needs before her own.
• As a child, Michael was eager-to-please his parents, excelling in school and participating in all the activities they encouraged. He strived for their validation, which influenced his later relationship choices and patterns.
• The hotel staff member, eager-to-please, consistently went out of their way to assist guests. Their attentiveness to detail resulted in a positive reputation which ultimately led to guest satisfaction, which gave the business a favorable review.
• During the project, the team member, eager-to-please the project manager, readily accepted additional responsibilities. However, he did so at the cost of his own work/life balance, causing him unnecessary stress.
• The dog's tail wagged incessantly, its eyes fixed on the owner, displaying an eager-to-please demeanor. The dog hoped to receive affection and approval in return for its enthusiastic response, a common sign of the breed.