Could being perpetually five minutes late to a Zoom call with your boss be sabotaging your career? Potentially. If you feel stalled in your career or like you’re often passed over for projects or promotions you feel you deserve, you may be unconsciously poising your career. Talent and hard work only get you so far, therefore it’s smart to bring self-awareness to subtle behaviours and habits can significantly impact your professional growth and personal brand, often without you realising it. Here are seven things I’ve seen, as an executive coach, people do that poison their career and subtly sabotage their success:
- Drinking too much at office functions
Don’t take the bait when you’re told by the leadership team, that you can “cut loose” and blow off steam at a work-funded function because, while office functions are a great way to network and build relationships, overindulging in alcohol is a sure-fire way to show the company that you can’t be trusted to be professional in all situations. Not only can drinking too much lead to embarrassing behaviour, unprofessional conduct, and impaired judgment, but it also tarnishes your reputation and can also erode trust and respect among colleagues and superiors. Remember that if you are with coworkers or the event is being paid for by your company—you should behave like you are on the clock. It’s essential to maintain composure and ensure that your actions are consistent with the image you want to project—and that should always be one of consistent professionalism.
- Not participating in forced fun
Suck it up and do the team-building event your boss organised. Why? Because corporate culture often includes team-building activities and social events which are designed to foster camaraderie and collaboration. While these activities can sometimes feel contrived or forced, consistently opting out can be seen as a lack of team spirit or unwillingness to engage with colleagues, and like you’re not invested in the company culture. The upside of participating is it can provide valuable networking opportunities and help build stronger relationships with your peers. Avoiding these events can isolate you from your team and give off the vibe that you don’t want to be “one of them.”
- Having a dirty car, office, or workplace
We’ve all worked with that person who treats the inside of their car like a trashcan, or has an untidy workspace and, if you’re like me, you’ve judged them as being a bit of a hot-mess—no matter how good they are at their job. We do this because perception is reality and the cleanliness and organisation of your workspace can speak volumes about your professionalism. A cluttered or dirty workspace suggests a lack of organisation and attention to detail, which can be concerning to employers and colleagues. It can also impact your productivity and stress levels. Maintaining a clean and organised environment demonstrates respect for your work and those around you, enhancing your professional image. This also goes for the clothes you wear—no scuffed shoes, or wrinkled shirts and dresses allowed.
- Poor time management
Being perpetually late or going over the allotted time on calls isn’t a term of endearment—it’s blatant disrespect for others. Failing to manage your time well can result in missed deadlines, unfinished projects, and increased stress, all of which can negatively impact your career. It can lead to a reputation for unreliability and incompetence. It may cause you to overpromise and underdeliver, damaging your credibility.
- Talking out of both sides of your mouth
If you’ve ever said one thing to the leadership team and expressed something opposing to the team you lead, you’re on shaky ground. Consistency and honesty are fundamental to building trust in the workplace and talking out of both sides of your mouth—will quickly undermine your integrity and credibility. It will create confusion and mistrust among your colleagues and superiors, and potentially lead to conflicts and a toxic work environment. Being honest and consistent in your communication builds a reputation for reliability and integrity, which is non-negotiable for career advancement.
- Having an excuse for everything
You know what they say about excuses, so do your best to avoid giving them at all costs and instead take radical accountability for your actions. Making excuses prevents you from addressing and learning from your mistakes. It can also frustrate your colleagues and superiors, who may see you as evasive and unaccountable. Owning your actions and demonstrating a willingness to improve is essential for gaining respect and advancing in your career.
- Being unprepared for high-visibility meetings
If you’re rushing to finish a deck 5 minutes before a call with your boss or client, you may end up with typos and otherwise tiny mistakes that could have a big impact on your career. High-visibility meetings are opportunities to showcase your knowledge, skills, and preparedness, so arriving unprepared can make you appear incompetent and disinterested, which will no doubt hurt your professional brand. While these behaviors may seem minor, they can have a cumulative effect on your career. Each action contributes to the overall perception of your professionalism, reliability, and competence. Building a successful career requires more than just technical skills and hard work. It involves cultivating a professional image and avoiding behaviors that can undermine your progress.