5 Workplace Mistakes That Cripple Your Growth

You are spending a great lot of time in your cubicle or work station than any other part in the world and by now, tuned to endure monotonous projects, multitask and meet the deadlines. Though your work makes you indispensable to the team, at times you may feel less acknowledged or appreciated for the job well done. Have you ever felt like this? Betrayed, annoyed and all your stomach acids spurring up heights, when someone bogs the limelight for the work, you put your heart and soul into. Don't worry, never too late to set things straight.

Hollow Man Syndrome:
This is more applicable for a person who minds only his own business. It shows commitment but also makes you invisible for not being available to lend a hand to others or share the load in the team. Not just your group but networking with other departments and getting in touch with people in all ranks provides more exposure and better opportunities.

All the while, learn to say 'No' if it conflicts with your schedule than risk things to end up with broken promises and distrust. The benefit of building alliances is that it jacks up your social status making you a more valuable resource and can help with job-hunting in times of recession or cost cuts.

Boss: "This is the fourth time I have caught you sleeping at desk. What's your reason now?"
Temp: "Uh, because you are wearing shoes with soft bottoms?"

Flocking in Groups : 
It's a definite no-no. Landing a job with a good paycheck and contract keeps you safe, yet choosing the right colleagues to hang out also decides your progress. In a multicultural environment, there is a tendency to gang up with people of same ethnicity, gender or culture. However, you don't have to abandon the rest or spend long hours with the same bunch to cause raised eyebrows. I don't say, be the serious-all-work-no-play-guy in an environment that has too much to stress about and little room to relax.

Make friends who don't affect your career advancements or envy at your accomplishments.
Interact with everyone, embrace diversities and you can always maintain your friendship outside. Keep on your guard even if it's a social outing or team dinners where a little unwinding can backfire into unnecessary gossip or rumors. Remember at the end of the day, everything boils down to business and damn good money.

Supervisor: “This project isn't something we can finish off quickly. It’s like an onion. It has layers that we have to peel away, one by one.”
Coworker: “And it will make us cry a lot.”
- notalwaysworking.com

Apparel Disasters:
The sole purpose of  dress codes is to make every employee present an elegant business outlook. Little do they know how hard it is to find a decent, clean dress with matching pairs, that gets crumpled and sweaty  in the rush hours of traffic, and one is left hoping to reach office with a little dignity. And if you are oblivious of your dirty shoes, bizarre hairstyle or wrinkled attire, even the Lady luck's smile can't help with your bad impressions.

Always dress like you are going to see your worst enemy -Kimora Lee Simmons

You don't have to dress to kill but appearances speak of your self-care and professionalism. Look around! Do you feel like an alien propelled to a space where each one's outfit looks to you as freakish or outlandish? Ooh ooh, Wake up and smell the coffee!

Nobody wants to be labeled as an oldie, someone not adapting to trends. So pay more attention to your wardrobe and know what to wear. Avoid overdoing with lucrative costumes that renders only a fashion faux pas. Look at your mirror and let it assess whether you are leaving to a beach or a board meeting:)

Colliding with Boss:
The Boss wants to be always right. If you get in the wrong, no matter whose fault it is, you end up being a complete jerk. And if you expect only your work and skills to be taken for appraisal, it will take centuries to get your promotion or at worst see any change in your payslip digits. You have your right to express resentment over issues of politics, bias or work delivery, provided no crossing the boundaries or hurt anyone's feelings.

Boss:"Do you believe in life after death?"
Newbie:"Yes, Sir."
Boss:"Well, then, that makes everything just fine", and added, "After you left early yesterday to go to your grandma's funeral, she stopped in to see you".

I agree that true talent will surely be rewarded just as buttering up promotes bonding good will. That said, ego clashes can possibly occur if you think less of your superior's prowess. When you conflict your boss, it becomes a bull-fight, the more you flare up, the more provoked is the target. You cannot expect a 100% friendly boss and even if you are lucky to have one, have a mental note that such hearty warmth is also to keep the balls rolling. If unlucky, better change your job.

Big mouth Ben:
To some people, the hardest task is to shut their mouths. It is like a sacrosanct responsibility for them to enlighten the world with their opinions and suggestions. Yes! You can see in every meeting room, a definite cluster of  such blabbermouths grabbing chances to blow their horns and reveling in the undivided attention. If you fall under this category of gossip mongers or chatterboxes, any time your spoken words can hit you back like a boomerang.

Know what you speak as words don't dissolve into thin air but remains etched in memory. You have to double-check the authenticity of your statements and your intention to socialize, be a good sport should not be mistaken for poking nose into other's activities.

A good workplace coordinates the disparities to bring out the balance and helps everyone to achieve project completion. Therefore avoid dreading mistakes at work and push yourself through the career ladder to attain your goals.