Some Common Career Pitfalls!

Having worked with thousands of clients globally I have kept track of some of the main reasons professionals come to me as my clients. This blog is about some of the most common reasons people get into trouble with their careers, and is also about some ways of either avoiding or overcoming those trouble spots (the remedies I suggest to them). If I look at the entire client population that I have worked with over the past decade it is a good mix of ages, cultures, careers, their areas of work, and employment levels. This prompts me to conclude that what I have codified here—in rank order of frequency—is a good summary of what most professionals need to focus on in their careers:

Communication: This skill manifests in a variety of ways. Most of those who come to me have been cited for poor communication skills. Although those labeled as poor communicators are mostly immigrants, this is a much broader problem that goes beyond just the language skill. So, what are different ways people get cited for poor communication? Here is a partial list: Inability to forcefully and confidently communicate a point of view in oral discussions (this applies to most, and is not limited to the immigrant pool); shyness and reticence in meetings (this applies largely to immigrants from Asia—China, the Indian subcontinent, and the Pacific Rim); frequent miscommunication; and poor writing skills, which includes not having a sense of how to even respond properly to emails. This is just a hit list of items in this general category. The actual list can be much broader.

Remedies: Depending on the client’s background I suggest a variety of remedies, which include: Joining the Toastmasters Club; expanding their working vocabulary; taking writing classes; speaking English, not your native language at home; watching some choice US sitcoms to expand the linguistic and cultural vocabulary, to name a few.

Relationships: This deficiency is agnostic and I find that most clients get into trouble because they underestimate the power of good relationships. Many believe that doing solid work is all they need to do to be in good graces with those around them, so they make no efforts to build relationships with others that go beyond merely transactional encounters. Building good relationships requires developing your Emotional Intelligence (EQ–a nurtured skill).

Remedy: Learn about EQ and how to build harmonious relationships with those around you, and with people that matter (influencers) in your organization. This is a life skill.

Cultural Integration: Although clients do not come to me for being cited as cultural misfits, it evinces during my first meeting when I start exploring their work habits. Those that are not culturally well integrated show habits of hanging around only in their “tribes,” and not mixing with others; speaking in their native language, even in meetings, when others may not understand their speech; making a statement at work about their “superior” culture in how they dress, behave, and interact, to name a few.

Remedy: Here again, I make my clients aware of the importance of understanding the cultural norms and integrating well, so that they are accepted by the general employee population, not just by their “tribe.” I recommend their watching a few popular US sitcoms to understand the emerging culture and how they can become a part of it. The other way to integrate well is to develop an ability to talk about popular sports and events, or even participate in them.

Managing upwards: This deficiency is pervasive and not just limited to the immigrant community. Merely doing good work or delivering what you are told to do (“order taking”) is not enough; this is an expected minimum for continued employment! Managing upwards means anticipating what your boss needs to do to look good and then working with them to make it happen.

Remedy: Developing a better understanding of how your boss is measured by theirs, and teaming with them to make sure that your boss looks good through your efforts that go beyond merely doing what you are told. Volunteering for tasks to become visible to upper management is also another way to do this.

Meetings: In this category the most common fault is not knowing what to say, and then saying the wrong things when you open your mouth, especially when the majordomos are present in such meetings. Yet another defect is not knowing when to shut up and when not to respond during the proceedings.

Remedy: One must develop their own sense of how they are coming across in such meetings. If you are not being re-invited to such meetings, it is a good sign that something is agley. Check with your boss and openly discuss your behaviors.

Teamwork: Being able to work well in teams is critical in today’s workplace. Knowing which teams are critical for your success, and then knowing how to work well in such teams can be a boon to your career; not mastering this team spirit can be a blow on its flip side.

Remedy: Similar to Relationship (#2 above), ability to work in teams is driven by EQ. So, develop the social skills to work well with others and know when it is best to work on your own. Also, remember, it does not matter how smart you are, what matters is how useful you are, overall!

Technical Expertise: I have some clients who are not comfortable with their technical proficiency in their area of work. I see clients in their mid-40s struggling to do things that are done expertly by 23-year olds. When you are competing in such space you must find other ways to show your value. Otherwise, this is a battle that is hard to win!

Remedy: Find your value proposition and re-channel your energies in that direction, so that your value comes from what you know best. Work with your boss to redefine your work and get yourself a transfer or another job.

Being aware of where you stand in your own place at work is central to your ongoing career growth. So, be vigilant and do the right thing for yourself!

Good luck!