10 Traits That Will Kill Your Career

10 Traits That Will Kill Your CareerYou know the basic rules dont lie or cheat or embezzle from the company. But there are a few character flaws and personal patterns or habits that could also seriously hinder your progredienzand even kill your career. googletag.cmd.push(function() googletag.display(div-gpt-ad-1467144145037-0) ) Most people dont even realize theyre doing themselves or their careers harm until its far too late. And most careers arent impacted by one big mistake or one cringeworthy comment. It happens little by little, in ways you might leid expect. So keep an eye out for these subtle traits and traps that could already be bringing you down.1. NarcissismIf youre just thinking about yourself and how you can succeed, thats self-absorption in the highest. Youll go farther in your career if you consider how to help the company get aheadand the company is made of people. Its bedrngnis all about you. Focus on being a better team player. In a rising tide, all boats rise.2. D ishonestyIt doesnt have to be one big whopper to count as lying. In fact, its often the smaller fibs around the edges that create a pattern making for a person a boss would likely write off as dishonest. Cultivate honesty as a virtue and a character trait. Be tactful, but not obsequious. Have the courage to accept responsibility when things are your fault. And keep your mouth shutdont spread rumors about your coworkers or friends.3.Making False PromisesYou either over-promise or under-deliver, but either way, youre falling short of expectations and failing to do what you said youd accomplish. Set reasonable, achievable goals for yourself. Make promises only that youre certain you can keep. That way, if you get mora done faster, you can give your boss a pleasant surprise instead of having to underperform.4. ComplacencyOtherwise known as laziness. When was the last time you learned a new skill or took a refresher or other training course? When was the last time you certified yourself in something new? Or really dug into industry research to keep yourself on the cutting edge? If you dont grow, you wont be challenged and you wont change. And youll never get ahead.5. PessimismNobody likes a Debbie Downer. If you find yourself focusing more on the negative side of everything, dont be surprised when no one wants to work with youand your boss doesnt particularly want to see you succeed.6. ApathyEven worse than being negative or pessimistic is being apathetic. If you cant bring yourself to care one way or the other, how can you expect anyone to trust you or want to work with you? Even if you hate your job, give it your best and move on. Otherwise youll be stuck, youll get a bad reputation, and youll never get ahead.7. Fear of changeKeep your eye on the prize, the big picture. Weigh your daily and monthly priorities against your long-term goals. And dont be afraid of changes in your company or industry. Learn to be adaptable. Roll with the tides. Dont ever hear yourself saying, But weve always done it this way. Learn to grow and adapt as things progressand keep your biggest dreams in the back of your mind at all times. Be flexible. Embrace the ever-changing nature of the working world.8. EgoYou get a little success, it goes to your head, and all of a sudden youre the star of every show. Youre arrogant. Full of yourself. Cocky. Youre doing nothing but setting yourself up for a rather painful failure.9. InsecurityWhether this manifests as meekness, arrogance, envy, pessimism, oversensitivity it doesnt matter. Do what you have to do to be more confident in your own abilities and career position. Go to therapy. This trait makes a negative impact across all areas of your lifenot just your job. And its not a good enough excuse for the behavior it tends to cause.10. Sucking upNobody likes a brown-noser. Youre not showing real respect or building a relationship youre a big phony going about things the underhanded way. Earn your bosss respect the honest wa y. Prove your merit. Help your team. Show dont tell.Once youve got all of this down,the next step is to make sure you dont let any of your biases impact your decisions. In order to effectively develop your career, its important to admit you have biases and learn to correct them. The more objective you are, the better your decisions will be.