Problem at Work 1: Problems that Stall Your Career

Today we begin a series outlining problems that can get you fired or stall your career

I work with a lot of people that find their career stalled. Management passes them over for promotions. Management neglects to give them plumb assignments, nor include them in key meetings. They receive no or low raises. They receive the first pink slips when layoffs or terminations occur. Too frequently, they do not understand why these things happen to them—repeatedly. They often complain and ascribe their problems to others: co-workers, supervisors, subordinates, and clients.

Problems You May Create

Many times we create the problems for ourselves without recognizing it. If these problems persist, you may lose your job or find yourself dead-ended within the company:

• Persistent tardiness, absence, extended phone calls, lunch or other breaks
• Poor performance or productivity
• Cantankerous, obnoxious, or rude behavior
• Bad hygiene, dress, or appearance
• Inappropriate comments, jokes, emails, or other communications
• Obsolete or inadequate skills
• Work related drinking, drugs, or testing problems
• Mistakes or losses at work

Problems Others May Create

In addition to the problems we create for ourselves, others may also create problems for you:

• Cliquish, aloof, and exclusive co-workers
• Office gossip, back-biting, sabotage, and back-stabbing
• Unsupportive, demanding, and critical supervisors
• Impossible deadlines, unrealistic expectations, and lack of resources on the job

Whether you create the problems or someone else does, you need to resolve them or face negative consequences. Continued poor practices or problems severely affect your advancement or growth. I know. I possess personality problems that cost me a job once and continue to prevent my promotions. I’m working on resolving them, but have not made enough progress in the past 11 years. I hope to share ideas for you, if you find yourself with a problem that can get you fired or stall your career.

We will explore each of these reasons over the next four weeks.

Join me next Wednesday to learn more about tardiness, absences, and extended breaks