Everyone makes mistakes at work from time to time and it’s perfectly normal. Sometimes though people engage in persistent behaviour which undermines their credibility and career without realizing it. Let’s take a look…
1. Rumors & Gossip- They’re everywhere in the workplace and it can be unavoidable sometimes. Distance yourself from rumors and gossip the second they rear their ugly head. I’m going to state the obvious here. Don’t start rumors! Even if it’s not a rumor but something that’s true just keep it to yourself. Even if you just tell your office buddy, he or she will tell at least one other person and so on. If you get caught spreading rumors, kiss your career at your current job goodbye. You’ve lost all credibility in the eyes of those around you.
But actually starting rumors isn’t the only thing to avoid. You must avoid having your name attached to a rumor in any way. Here is a scenario: one of your co-workers decides to let you in all little office gossip and while leaning over to tell you someone else picks up on the conversation and decides to tell the source that you and Jim where bad mouthing him even though you were just listening. Or maybe the gossip spreads with both your name and the messengers name attached to the rumor now flying through the office.
Sounds bad right? Yep….so just don’t spread gossip in anyway and this includes listening to gossip from others.
2. Office Romance- Not everyone will agree with this one but if you have the urge to ask one your co-workers out on a date just don’t do it. Contrary to what you see on TV, office romances rarely lead to anything other than hurt feelings, distractions in the office, rumors, and eventually someone quitting sooner than they would have liked.
Do you think your boss wants to hear that Dan is bitter and unproductive because you refused date number 3? Having a productive and happy work life is difficult enough without adding acrimony and bitterness that comes along with failed romances and jilted men or women. There are plenty of places to meet guys and gals without having to look across the cubicle.
3. Wearing the wrong clothes- I don’t believe that clothes make the man but for many, how you dress speaks volumes about your competence level, intellect, and who you are.
The problem many men have is they simply wear old or outdated clothes in the workplace which makes others think consciously or subconsciously that they don’t have it together. Clothes aren’t cheap but try to slowly put together a decent work wardrobe one outfit at a time. Don’t under dress either. The level of professionalism in your clothing should be similar to others in your workplace.
Women seem to have a different issue. When they dress inappropriately it’s usually because they are dressing too promiscuously or flamboyant. Wearing skirts that are too short, revealing cleavage, and plastering too much makeup on will send the wrong message to everyone around you including those who have the power to promote you. If you dress like that because you enjoy the attention, do some self evaluation and decide if you want attention or the best career possible.
