Career Killers

The following was published in the WirtschaftsWoche No 38/06 and is based on a research done by the ‘Bund Deutscher Unternehmensberater’. Never mind that it is based on a research in Germany a few years ago. Certain information is just ‘universally applicable’. Here are the 10 biggest career killers:

53.3 % - Over-estimating own abilities and lack of absorbing criticism. Overly ambitious people seem to lose, sometimes, a ‘sense of reality’ and are less open to critical feedback. It is a fine line between self-confidence and being over-confident.

48.6% - Don’t understand the ‘unwritten rules’ – Most companies have some unwritten rules, breaking of which has a negative impact. It could be simple things like ‘nobody leaves the office before 07.00pm’ or ‘one doesn’t criticize the senior management though the senior management is always asking for open feedback.’

44.2% - Personal growth at a standstill. I think that is self-explanatory. Interesting piece of information. According to a research done by the Association of German Engineers 92% considered further training as important, though only 11% were willing to pay themselves.

38.3% - Ignores networks.  Market researchers found out that 60% of professional success depends on having good relationships with the right people (network), 30% because of good image, 10% because of performance.

31.8% - Aimless – Good goal-setting with the related action plan. Remember goal-setting is a planning and action instrument only and can be changed as well given new insights and opportunities.

29.9% - Not able to work in a team. Though, promotions are still based on personal performance the ability to work in a team is a required skill.

28.0% - Inappropriate humbleness. A balancing act is required here. You need to ‘beat your own drum’ without overdoing it.

11.2% - Ungrateful. People who help making careers do expect appropriate support in return. (When reading this I need to smile. Maybe Germans need to know that. I think Asians, and most readers of my blog are Asians, know this one already)

11.2% - Too self-assured. It is good to have strong conviction, but everybody should remain open to listen to other opinions and look carefully at facts that do not agree with their own opinion.

9.4% - Impatience – Being realistic on how quick a career can be made.