CAREER-LIMITING MOVES AT THE WORKPLACE

You probably have heard these words before: “If you work for a man, for heaven’s sake work for him. If he supplies your wages, which supply you with bread, work for him. Speak well of him. Stand by him and stand by the institution he represents. If put in a pinch, an ounce of loyalty is worth a pound of cleverness. If you must constantly argue, nullify, condemn and eternally disparage, resign your position; and when you are outside damn your heart’s content. For as long as you are part of an institution do not condemn it. If you do, you are loosening the tendons that are holding you to the institution: and the first high wind that comes along, you will be uprooted and blown away probably never knowing the reason why.”

What nuggets of truth these words are! They paint a picture of a subtle yet ‘deleterious’ crime against success at the workplace – negative talk.

According to a workmate of mine, even discussing the company you work for in nasty terms in a public place can do you in. “As a general rule,” he says, “if you think negatively about an organization, you likely shouldn’t be there.”

Another of those insalubrious firecrackers in the workplace is the usage of the office computer inappropriately. That means, say, surfing the Internet for pornography or using work time to cruise for information on any topic of a controversial nature. This is an easy exit strategy. Don’t exchange highly personal e-mails either. The good {or bad!} bit about the whole she-bang is that the company can track this and is probably tracking it.

Someone said: a change is as good as a rest. How true this maxim is, is debatable. Granted. When change looms large in the workplace and you cling to the way things have always been done you may be the next casualty. Change is a fact of life. If the same things are done over and over again and different results are expected then disappointment is inevitable.

If a new boss introduces change, it can be especially intimidating. But once the dust settles in the new boss’ wake most of the changes may prove beneficial. In fact, the problems you faced under the old boss usually right themselves once the new boss takes full rein.

Every worker in the present competitive corporate job market is in constant dire need of instruction and correction. Position yourself as an expert who no longer needs instruction or correction, and you may earn yourself an indefinite sabbatical. No matter how senior you are, the expression “I don’t take courses any more – I give them” is a no-no. You can always learn new things.

Similarly, most employees often make the mistake of learning only those matters that directly relate to their own jobs. This is a myopic view of the company’s business and your role in it. You should interact with customers and suppliers, and pursue networking opportunities. {Networking is not just chitchat but an exchange of information that benefits all the parties involved.}. If this is not taken advantage of, then, someone else with a broader view may scoop all those opportunities that come your way. A rather sad story.

Informally or formally, every workplace dictates how employees should dress, what they can discuss in the canteen and how they should treat clients and colleagues. I personally add mine, which I believe have gone a long way in safeguarding me at the workplace:

· Know the culture and make it second nature.
· Clash as obviously as possible with your workplace culture and everyone will start to wonder why you’re there. What you stand for will not be apparent, as it ought to.

There are still some who refuse to admit mistakes and, like Bill Clinton, they could find themselves telling it to the judge. People are normally much less infuriated when you admit that you made a mistake and apologize. Employers are not amused when you deny, deny, deny and then, weeks later, relent and say, “Oh, yeah. Oh…sorry.” An apology would do a whole world of good.

Another one of the career-limiting moves is self-satisfaction. This means making a career plan and keeping your boss in the dark about it. This way you might find your engine shunted onto a siding.

Make your boss aware of the fact that you have goals and are working towards achieving them. Invent a strategy so you can work out what you can do for your company and how the company can help you achieve your goals. J.F. Kennedy once said: “Don’t ask what your country [read workplace} can do for you but rather what you can do for your country {!}. Definitely a million and one!

Furthermore, broaden your sphere of focus. If you stick to a narrow view of success while the company you work for changes, you might be headed for an early exit, without the retirement party.

Needless to say, criminal acts are not included as part of these career-limiting moves – they’re obviously inimical to the working environment. Neither are sexual or racial harassment, which as career-limiting moves go, are no-brainers.