People-pleasing is an insidious defense. The way through it is integrity of mind.
We are responsible for our state of mind; not for our erroneous thoughts, but for their correction. To correct them we must become aware of the beliefs that are generating them. For example, when we become aware of, and step away from, the belief in competition, we become more peaceful. Rather than live in fear of the possible reactions of others, we become authentic and stay in integrity with the truth. Spirit can help us navigate our interactions.
The five levels of mind are:
Perception
Emotion
Thought
Belief
Desire (the core)
Truth will be returned to your awareness by your desire as it was lost to your awareness by your desire for something else.