Avoid Sabotaging your Career Advancement

Career advancement is an on-going goal for most professionals. Unfortunately, some people don’t realize they are making critical mistakes, thereby sabotaging their progress. Understanding these potential slip-ups can help you stay on the fast-track path to career success. Here are a few things to avoid:

Your boss won’t likely promote you if they feel like you have to be micromanaged every step of the way. Take initiative with your projects and don’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure the job is done correctly. At the same time, don’t rely on others to tell you how to handle every detail of every project. Be confident in your abilities and strengthen the areas that need attention.

Don’t let your ego get in the way of developing stronger work relationships and building an effective team. If you are always stepping on other people’s toes because you want to do it your way, then you could be sabotaging career opportunities. Respect the skills and experience of those around you; create a team dynamic that everyone wants to be part of.

Don’t be the office whiner; the complainer who brings everyone down. If you need to make a complaint about a workflow, for example, state the issue and then offer a solution for making improvements. Open-ended complaints bring down morale and sabotage your career advancement.

You don’t have to be the loudest voice in the room to be heard. Articulate your thoughts and ideas clearly. Be confident in the value you bring to the conversation and always listen as much – if not more than, you speak. In doing so, you will be recognized as a confident, respectful team player.

It’s going to backfire. Trying to impress people too much with flattery often has a negative impact. Be genuine and avoid crossing the line just to get approval from your boss.

Be aware of your habits and actions throughout the day, and make sure that you are avoiding behaviors that will sabotage opportunities for career advancement.