Most professionals worry about making major blunders at work, but it is often subtle habits that prove most damaging to reputations. According to LinkedIn influencers, certain behaviours can instantly sour colleagues' perceptions. Travis Bradberry, in his post 'The 9 Worst Mistakes You Can Ever Make at Work', highlights backstabbing, gossiping, and complaining about hating your job as key missteps.
Bradberry warns that going over someone's head to solve a problem is a common form of backstabbing. 'People typically do this in an attempt to avoid conflict, but they end up creating even more conflict,' he writes. Similarly, gossiping about colleagues makes you look negative and spiteful, while announcing you hate your job labels you as a negative person and drags down morale.
Other damaging behaviours include eating smelly food, which can make the office unpleasant for others, and telling lies, which Bradberry notes can never be taken back once discovered. He advises avoiding any food with an odour that might waft beyond the kitchen door and refraining from dishonesty, even with good intentions.
Recruiter and entrepreneur Buelter, in his post '12 Things I Learned the Hard Way', shares lessons from his own career. He recommends opening up rather than spending 80% of your time worrying about being taken advantage of. 'Figure out who you want to help and build your network around. Make yourself accessible to them,' he writes.
Buelter also advises cutting corporate jargon from conversations and emails, using a casual tone that people relate to. Additionally, he stresses the importance of leaving your desk to avoid stress and frustration. 'Schedule a time to stop. Then, get up and leave your desk. Don’t go slack off somewhere. Instead, keep this time focused and make the most of it,' he says.
