Things Holding you Back in your Career

🙅‍♀️ Gossiping

➡️ One of my earliest (and best) bosses told me "loose lips sink ships". I never forgot that. You can earn a reputation very quickly as someone who is a blabbermouth and cannot be trusted. Instead, be a vault. Concern yourself only with YOUR business.

🙅‍♀️ Constant complaining and negativity

➡️ The "glass half empty", negative nellies of the world...those people get a certain reputation, and it's not a good one. If all you do is call out the negative, that will suck the energy out of those around you. And guess what? No one's thinking of the life suckers for promotions. That's the opposite of a good leader.

🙅‍♀️ Staying at one company way too long

➡️ I know, I know - this one's always controversial. What was a GOOD thing 30 years ago has become, in many cases, a detriment. That's just reality.🤷‍♀️
When I'm contacted by someone who's been let go after 25+ years with the same company, it's no surprise when they tell me that they're struggling to land a new role. Unfortunately these folks have an uphill battle ahead. Right or wrong, the perception is that they will struggle to adapt after doing things one way for so long.

🙅‍♀️ Saying no when asked to take on a task outside your comfort zone

➡️If it'll push you to grow, say yes! I was asked to give the opening remarks at our local chamber breakfasts years ago and I remember thinking I would rather die than speak in front of 100+ people. But I knew it was good for me, so I said yes. Even though I felt like my stomach was going to fall out of my butt and it NEVER got easier, I prepared my notes and delivered them every time, voice quivering and all.

🙅‍♀️ Skipping optional company events

➡️ Every job I had in corporate America hosted some sort of annual company picnic (on company time). Inevitably there were always a handful of people who would state that they were "too busy to waste their time doing that". Instead, they'd work. Just to show everyone how busy they were. 🙄 I can't stress enough how bad this looks. No, it's not that the three-legged race or your seeing your CEO in a dunk tank are more important than work. But it's speaking volumes to your recognition of the importance of the team. You're also missing out on great exposure to company leaders outside the typical work setting - that's valuable!