We’re all human, and that means we are prone to slip ups every now and then. No one is perfect, and handling your mistakes with grace can do wonders for your well-being and how others perceive you. While you can bounce back from most mistakes, there are certain traps you will want to avoid at work.
When you make a certain mistake at work, it can be much harder to rebuild yourself. The CGS Team is sharing 6 mistakes to avoid at work, so you don’t have to worry about the potential negative ramifications.
6 mistakes to avoid at work are…
#1 Taking Credit For Someone Else’s Work
One of the cardinal sins of the work place is taking credit for a job you didn’t do. Even if the person who did the work is no longer around, and there would be no way for anyone to find out, you should never take credit or appreciation for a job you didn’t do.
Not only does taking credit for someone else’s work as your own portray you as untrustworthy, it can leave you with a guilty conscience.
Imagine if the situation were reversed and someone took credit for work you did. How would that make you feel? Probably not great. Don’t hesitate to give credit where credit is due. Giving proper credit will show that you are a team player and will make it easier for people to help you in the future.
#2 Complaining about Your Job
The last thing you need is for someone to hear that you are complaining about your job, or you hate your job. Most companies, large and small, have layoffs. If you are overheard (or ratted on) because you’ve complained about your job, you may be first to go come lay off time.
If your job is so horrible, look for another one! You have to spend a large portion of your time at work, so make sure you enjoy it—and if you don’t, save the complaining for your friends.
#3 Failing to Take Opportunities
When an opportunity presents itself to you at work, failing to take it could result in you missing out big time. Whether it’s a training opportunity, the chance to take on more work and show you’re capable, or the option to present your work to higher-ups, don’t say no!
Saying no to opportunities, even if it means more work or more time, can result in people no longer asking you. Think of every opportunity as a chance for you to learn more, get your face and name out there, and be a star employee!
#4 Not Being Able to Handle Feedback
Let’s get real here, no one likes to be told they could have done a better job. However, handling feedback and criticism is essential to growth and development. If you get defensive every time someone tries to give you feedback, they may stop providing that information altogether.
You could miss out on valuable information to take your job to the next level. Now, feedback should be delivered constructively. If it’s not, don’t hesitate to reach out to HR. Check out a few of our tips for handling constructive criticism.
#5 Stealing Company Time
You may think 5 minutes here or there is no big deal, but if it happens consistently (and someone is watching), it can come back to bite you. When it’s time to log on and log off, make sure it’s in line with your work schedule. Arriving 5 minutes late and leaving 5 minutes early means you aren’t working your full shift.
Vow to make up lost time throughout the week. Even if you aren’t micro-managed, you never know who is keeping tabs on what you’re doing. Getting fired for stealing company time does not make for a great recommendation for your future job search.
#6 Gossiping or Entertaining Gossip
When work is slow or there is general downtime, it can be easy for people to start chatting. Those conversations can quickly turn into office gossip. Gossip leads to rumors, which can lead to false information being spread.
If you want to excel at your job, avoid gossiping or entertaining someone’s need to gossip. You never know what someone’s intentions are, and you wouldn’t want word getting around that you spread rumors. Follow the rules of socializing with colleagues and keep personal or unprofessional conversations out of the work place.
Related: 6 Things to Avoid Doing at Work
If you can avoid any of the 6 mistakes listed above, you will go far on the job. Take the time to always be better – learn, grow, develop, adapt and innovate. Push distractions to the side and focus on the task at hand. Doing a good job can lead to infinite opportunities to shine!
Are there any other work place mistakes you think should be added to this list? Have you made any of the mistakes above? If so, how did things turn out? We want to hear from you! Leave a comment below to share!
1 thought on “6 Mistakes to Avoid at Work”
Great read! Small actions like scanning social media, taking too many bathroom breaks, etc. are a given – this article really gets down to real mistakes with long-term effects.