6
Mistakes You Might Not Realize You're Making at Work
Sure, you could coast along at work, do the bare
minimum, and maybe one day snag that promotion. But if you think the only way
to mess up your chances of getting ahead is a big blowup with your boss or an office affair, think again. There are plenty
of other subtle work behaviors that hinder us just as much. The scary part is
that most people don’t even realize they’re making these mistakes.
At a certain point in our career, our ability
to perform our job function at a high level is not in question, as Marshall
Goldsmith writes in his best-selling book, What
Got You Here Won’t Get You There. Instead,
it’s the often-overlooked stuff that really holds us back—like simply getting
along with other people.
After all, no matter how good you are at your
job, it takes a village to make an organization work. And in order for you to
get ahead, it’s critical that the village—your colleagues—like you.
What most people are doing wrong, Goldsmith explains, doesn't have to do with
success. Instead, the problem is that they don’t have any idea how their
behavior is coming across to the people who matter: their bosses, colleagues,
subordinates, customers, and clients.
Over time, our workplace quirks accumulate
and chip away at the goodwill created by our value or contributions. And we
become too heavy for any team to lift. Read on for six common slip-ups that
could spoil your otherwise good standing at work.
1. You're overly critical.
Negativity repels. Sadly, it’s much easier to
be a downer, or a “complainer,“ than to look on the bright side and be
positive, or an “appreciator.“ Complainers always find
something negative to say. (You’re already thinking of that one snippy person
in the office, right?)
Appreciators, on the other hand, are quick to
compliment a job well done, make other people feel comfortable, and won't
spread rumors about that next round of layoffs. Studies show that having a
positive attitude helps not only yourself, but also the entire company get
ahead. People who focus on the positive at work have
been shown to receive 25 percent higher
performance ratings. And if managers frequently provide recognition and
encouragement, employees are31
percent more productive.
Remember, you can be an appreciator and still
be real—it’s not about being “fake nice.” It’s about being respectful, mature,
and professional—always. Even switching a comment like, “Ugh, I do not
have time to go to this happy hour tonight!” to “Wow, I can tell Robin put a
lot of effort into this event!” makes a big difference in how you are
perceived.
2. You treat your workplace too casually.
Your colleagues are not family,
no matter how much your company might throw that word around. You are there to
provide financial value and receive a financial reward. It’s critical to act
professional when you’re in a professional setting.
Raising your voice, sharing TMI about your
weekend escapades, or getting emotional might be tolerated once in a while, but
these outbursts are always remembered and mostly frowned upon. If you feel
heated or worked up about something, go outside for a quick coffee and call a
friend or family member who helps center you. Then re-enter the office with a
smile on your face like the professional you are.
3. You always want things done your way.
When you’ve been successful at
something—closing a deal, streamlining an old process, training a new hire—it’s
natural to want to share your way of doing things. But especially as you climb
the ladder, real leaders allow others to harness their own creativity and
skills, and to think for themselves.
Plus, good managers understand that their way
is not the only way. People can look up to you for guidance and advice, yes,
but next time someone approaches you with an issue or a question, instead of
going into a monologue, ask, “What do you think is the best way to approach
this?” And really listen. This approach leads to a much more collaborative,
creative, and productive conversation. You might also get some great new ideas
too! We learn nothing when we’re the only one talking.
4. You look down on managing up.
Managing up simply means maintaining a positive
and healthy relationship with your boss. Our superiors are human beings just
like us, and don’t want to be left out just because of their title. When I
first became a manager at a new job, I was really happy when my team asked me
to join them for happy hour. I’d say yes whenever I could. Extend a casual
social invite, even something as simple as “I’m going to grab a latte, want
some air?” to your boss every once in a while. It can go a long way in
relationship building, and relationships really matter at work.
And don’t worry about whether or not your
boss says yes—your invitation is enough. If the complainers think you’re
sucking up, let them. They’d do it too if they had the smarts. Hey, you might
even be managing them next year.
5. You don’t embrace change.
Change is inevitable: From business mergers
to new products to different management styles, the list goes on. In the online
start-up sector for example, acquisitions take place in the blink of an eye. A
big Fortune 500 company acquired the last ad-tech start up I worked for, and
not everyone was happy. Some people who didn’t want a corporate vibe left, but
some complainers stayed and resented the new environment. Instead of seeing it
as an opportunity, they only saw threat and uncertainty. And as a result they
missed out on opportunity to better their career.
Life is a constant cycle of coming and going.
There are no exceptions here. Rather than being skeptical about a new
development at work, ask yourself, “How can I see this in a positive way?” And
choose that.
6. You hoard all the credit.
There is nothing more sore and disruptive
than when someone takes credit for a job well done. Don’t forget the village!
The awesome thing about sharing your credit and publicly supporting others is
that it comes back to you tenfold. Everyone remembers when someone gave him or
her a shout-out or praised him or her in front of a superior.
It’s really amazing how far a simple “thank
you” can go. But apparently, not a lot of of people are saying it: A
recent survey found that only 10 percent of Americans said that they regularly
showed their colleagues gratitude, although 81 percent of respondents said that
they’d be willing to work harder if they felt more appreciated by their
superiors.
Next time there is a team meeting or an email
where a manager credits you with some success, say, “Thanks Sarah, it was
really Adam and Joyce who made this happen—it wouldn’t have worked without
their speedy problem-solving skills.” Adam and Joyce will want to hug you for
it, and Sarah is very likely to see you as a leader like she is.
The Takeaway
Remember that in work (and in life), we get
what we give. If you can become aware of the energy you generate and help
foster a calm, fun workspace, you’ll be in a much better position to be at the
top of the list for that promotion. After all, the hard work—getting to your
current job station—is done. Now, getting “there,” wherever “there” is for you,
is waiting. And it can be much less of a labor than you think
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