Back in my corporate days when someone made a huge mistake, we referred to it as a “career-limiting move” – a CLM.
A study released by VitalSmarts of 1,000 managers found that 97% have one or more of what they call a “career limiting habit” – a CLH. As I reflected on the study, I realized that every career-limiting move I witnessed was related to one or more of the career-limiting habits identified in the study.
The top 5 career-limiting habits identified by VitalSmarts include:
- Unreliability,
- “It’s not my job,”
- Procrastination,
- Resistance to change, and
- Negative attitude.
Since 97% of employees exhibit one or more of these career-killing habits, not having one of them puts you in the top 3% of employees. However, if you want to really stand out and supercharge your career, you need to take it a step further; you need to do the opposite!
5 “Be” Habits for a Supercharged Career
Supercharging your career requires you to not only not exhibit any of the five career-limiting habits but to proactively cultivate habits that are the exact opposite. So here you go, the five habits you need to supercharge your career.
- Be Reliable,
- Be a Team Player,
- Be Proactive,
- Be Flexible, and
- Be Positive.
Be Reliable
Every boss wants employees who are 100% reliable. These are the people I trust and can depend on.
“Whoever is faithful in very little is also faithful in much, and whoever is unrighteous in very little is also unrighteous in much” (Luke 16:10).
Be a Team Player
Everyone has worked with someone who ducks responsibility, saying, “it’s not my job.” On the other hand, a team player knows when and how to pitch in. Team players strive for the success of the organization, not just the individual.
“Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Be Proactive
You know, procrastinators… they put off their important work until the last minute while they are consumed by trivial matters. Instead, be proactive. Get your most important work done first.
“The hand of the diligent will rule, while the slothful will be put to forced labor” (Proverbs 12:24).
Be Flexible
Have you worked with people who insist on doing something the same way as they’ve always done it? If so, you’ve worked with someone who has what I used to call a “High RC factor” – resistance to change!
“But they did not listen or pay attention; instead, they followed the stubborn inclinations of their evil hearts. They went backward and not forward” (Jeremiah 7:24).
Be Positive
If you’ve ever worked with someone whose first comments about an idea are always negative, you’ll know how deflating they can be. Conversely, a person with a positive spirit lifts everyone up.
“Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear” (Ephesians 4:29).
From Limited to Supercharged
We all have our moments when we will exhibit one of the career-limiting attributes. One instance of poor judgment may not finish off your career, but when it becomes a habit, it will almost certainly limit your upward mobility.
So, watch out for limiting behavior and turn it into a supercharged behavior.
Instead of being unreliable, be reliable.
Instead of being an “it’s not my job” person, be a team player.
Instead of being a procrastinator, be proactive.
Instead of being resistant to change, be flexible.
Instead of being negative, be positive!
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Are there times in your career when you’ve exhibited one or more of these career-limiting behaviors? Have you worked with someone whose career was thwarted because of them?
Join the Conversation
As always, questions and comments are welcome. Are there times in your career when you’ve exhibited one or more of these career limiting behaviors? Have you worked with someone whose career was thwarted because of them?
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Category: Skills | Quality/Excellence
