10 Career Habits That Lead To Promotions & 10 That Hold You Back
Which Habits Help & Which Hinder Your Success?
Climbing the career ladder and reaching your goals isn't just about working harder; it's about working smarter. The habits you cultivate can either propel you forward on your path or stunt your growth, no matter how talented you are. Here are 10 career habits of people who land promotions fast and 10 that could be holding you back from success.
1. Taking Initiative
Taking the initiative to volunteer for new tasks and learn new skills not only makes your day-to-day more enriching, but it also makes you stand out. It shows your readiness to adapt, step outside of your comfort zone, and operate at a higher level.
2. Asking For Feedback
Seeking feedback and acting on it demonstrates to your bosses your ability and willingness to improve. It's one of the fastest ways to grow professionally because it boosts your visibility and exhibits your growth mindset.
3. Being Punctual
One of the most basic rules of being a good employee is to be on time and ready to go each day. Even if your office culture routinely runs late, it's better to be punctual or even a little early to show that you're organized and take your job seriously.
4. Being A Team Player
Even if your job is mostly time spent independently, most workplaces still depend on some degree of collaboration. Being able to work in a team demonstrates leadership potential.
5. Being Reliable
Rule number one of being a good employee is being reliable and consistently delivering high-quality work. It builds trust, boosts your reputation, and builds stronger relationships with your bosses and colleagues.
6. Being A Good Communicator
Communication is key to building a strong foundation for any type of relationship. Speaking up to your bosses and colleagues, even if it's to tell them you disagree with them, is positive because it indicates that you're engaged and you care. It also prevents potentially costly misunderstandings and makes you stand out.
7. Continuously Upskilling
Constantly learning new skills to expand your expertise helps you stay relevant and indicates your ability to improve. It also increases your value and opens new opportunities.
8. Solving Problems
Don't just present problems; solve them. Being a problem-solver demonstrates your ability to think outside the box and be proactive. It also builds trust with managers and adds to your value.
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9. Positivity
Maintaining an optimistic attitude and mindset builds stronger relationships with your bosses and colleagues because it makes you more approachable and pleasant to be around. It also indicates you don't get easily bogged down by challenges, which signals leadership potential.
10. Building Strong Relationships
Prioritize building a good rapport with your boss while respecting their time. This makes you stand out, increases opportunities, and builds your network.
Now that we've talked about the habits of people who get promoted quickly, let's talk about the ones that could be holding you back from success.
1. Sticking Only With Your Job Description
If you approach new tasks with the mindset that it's above your pay grade, you might never grow beyond your job description. You need to demonstrate your ability and willingness to adapt and improve for your managers to notice you and even think about offering you something more.
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2. Overcommitting
While the willingness to take on tasks is a positive attribute, it can also get out of hand if you're too available because it may result in a lack of focus and a dip in work quality. Setting boundaries for yourself and communicating them effectively will only make you more respected.
3. Resisting Change
If you're resistant to change, it limits your growth opportunities and indicates that you're not adaptable. Employers value someone who can innovate and stay current.
4. Procrastinating
We're all guilty of procrastinating from time to time, but if it becomes a habit, it can hold you back from success. Procrastinating too much can lead to reduced effectiveness and work quality.
5. Blaming Others
Blaming others is a bad habit that can seriously damage your reputation and make you a bad team player. Accountability is a quality of a good leader, even if it makes you "look bad" because you're taking credit for something that went wrong.
6. Being Distracted
We all have off days, but constantly being distracted will only lead to a dip in work quality and less productivity. Employers want to see that you're fully present and engaged.
7. Not Taking Risks
While you don't want to give the impression that you're a total daredevil, being too risk-averse at work might indicate that you lack ambition and are unwilling to step out of your comfort zone. Playing it safe can lead to missed opportunities and stifle your growth.
8. Making Excuses
Your employer doesn't care about your excuses when something goes wrong; they only care about fixing the problem. Be accountable and step up with solutions instead.
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9. Being Conflict Avoidant
Negotiating for promotions and a higher salary is not always pleasant, but it's essential for growth. Avoiding tough conversations will only stifle your growth, limit your leadership potential, and make you resentful.
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10. Contentment With The Status Quo
Landing promotions entails going above and beyond. If you're content with the status quo at work, you're limiting your growth opportunities, reducing your visibility, and signaling that you lack ambition.
