Things that can destroy your career

Photo by Lena Kudryavtseva on Unsplash

When it comes to career, we love to grow. However, in this voyage of growth and success, sometimes we forget what is right and what is wrong. Sometimes deliberately and sometimes inadvertently, we end up doing certain things which will end up damaging our career. So, what are those? 

1) Politics: There are two categories of people in an organization. The first category comprises of those who value work relationship and would try and strengthen them. The second category comprises of those who enjoy creating rivalry, clash and contention. This category of people love to bring in confusion and thereby encourage conflicts between team members. For them, the whole idea is to ensure some team members come in the bad books of other team members. Well, although, the second category of people presume that whatever they are doing is cool, they are wrong. Sooner than later, their filthy temperament will come in light and their doors of success and growth will be permanently closed. 

2) Aversion to change: Nothing is permanent but change. Still there are people who dread change. If a new technology comes up, they are scared of learning that because they assume, they may be asked to move to a different team to work on a new project. The question here is, what is there to fear? You are getting an opportunity to learn something new. You try and learn. If you learn, you can add one more skill in you resume. If you are unable to learn despite trying, at least your conscience and your supervisor will be happy that you tried. It’s your positive attitude that will be appreciated. Saying no to learn something new just because you are scared is utterly wrong. 

3) Clock Watching: Deliberately working slow to avoid more work, or not attending calls and meetings or not jumping in to solve a critical problem just because your works hours are over, will end in ruining your career. Your employer, your supervisor, your team members will get the message regarding how sloppy worker you are. 

4) Not taking action: You are aware of a problem and you won’t disclose it to the concerned authorities because you feel too lazy to do that or because you are worried that it might lead to more work or because you feel that is not your duty, is a trait which will roll you downhill in your career. You will stand nowhere, and your skill sets will go down the drain. 

5) Bad-mouthing employers: Posting negative comments about employers on social media, be it with names or anonymously, is immensely hazardous for your career. It is easy for employers and prospective employers to track who posted detrimental comments. 

6) Too much of comfort: Sometimes you are so comfortable in your profile that you don’t want to budge from there and learn something new. This can prove to be poison for your career. Being comfortable is one thing and not wishing to learn new stuff just because you don’t want to bring in some discomfort to your comfort zone is another thing. 

7) Giving away confidential information: The moment you disclose confidential information of an organization, you are doing something unethical and illegal. Also, you are tarnishing your credibility and your scruples. Also, there are chances that your prospective employers may presume that if you can disclose confidential information about one organization, you can disclose confidential information about any organization. Employers will doubt your integrity and where there is doubt, there is no growth. 

8) Not delivering as promised: You promise stuff and you don’t deliver. You miss deadlines, you have no answer for the problems in client meetings and you end up cutting a sorry figure. Be true to yourself and your clients. Give your best but don’t make promises which you cannot fulfill.