5 Low Self-Esteem Habits Negatively Affecting Your Career Growth
When I started my current role at a telco last year, the first negative feedback I got from my boss was that I’m too “quiet”. I thought it normal to observe others on the job first and understand the process of things. I rarely talked at meetings and wasn’t quick to give my opinions.
That attitude wasn’t viewed positively by my boss and some other managers on the team. They thought I didn’t care enough to contribute.
Sometimes, we get stuck in a role or an organization because of this. We develop attitudes and habits that negatively affect others’ perception of our work. I used to think this didn’t matter. But one important lesson about career progression is that others’ perceptions of you matter — at least in the office (I learned this from my mentor).
You’re not truly competent in the workplace unless people say you are. Not a team player if others don’t want to work with you. Yes, sometimes people just don’t like you. But if that happens to be a lot of people, you need to rethink your contributions.
Because in the end, you’re not getting that promotion or recognition if your work isn’t acknowledged by others (especially superiors).
So here are four things you need to stop doing at work, to speed up your career growth:
1. Saying sorry to make a point
When last did you say something like this in a work discussion:
‘I’m sorry but I don’t think this direction/method will work’.
If it’s something you’ve done recently (or do often), why did you say you’re sorry? Do you really need to apologize for making a valid observation? It may be just your opinion, but your opinion is valid and that’s why you were hired in the first place.
An apology waters down what you say afterward. It also means you think your opinion isn’t valuable enough. Without being condescending, make your ideas heard as assertively as you can.
2. Not making your accomplishments known
As one of my favourite marketing lecturers would say, if you don’t toot your own horn, nobody will do it for you. This is how things work in many organizations.
Few people walk around telling others what you, a third party, have accomplished in the business. We are all trying to tell others what we have accomplished, so they see us as more competent. If you don’t remind your managers, subordinates and colleagues of how valuable you are, you can’t be Top-of-Mind.
You are your own walking billboard. Advertise yourself as you please.
3. Not taking the lead on projects
Are you the teammate who always likes to work in the shadows? Well, this isn’t some movie where the man behind the curtain always gets his credit in the end. In modern jobs, the leaders are recognized.
The ones who are in charge and call the shots. And if you’re not in the leading team, chances are someone can steal your shine. Before that happens, make yourself known as someone who takes charge.
4. Not asking silly questions (especially in meetings)
This right here was my own mistake. Because I was new at the office and wasn’t sure if a question made sense, I wouldn’t ask it.
This is for you if you’re new somewhere and you’re not sure whether to ask. Ask it anyways. People with high self-esteem are never afraid to look stupid to learn. Don’t ask meaningless questions on purpose though.
According to The School of Life, we all have a little bit of madness. Madness here in the context of not knowing everything we ought. So, feel free, and ask away.
5. Not accepting your true value (and making others look better than you)
Think of what you do best. I mean, the unique value you give as an employee, business owner, or freelancer.
Do you know that many people in the world can do it better than you? Yup, quite a lot.
On the flip side, you’re better than many others. You’re a guru, but there’s a high chance you’re not showing how good you are. Your boss doesn’t know, your colleagues don’t know, your friends don’t know, because you think you’re not good enough.
This isn’t just a low self-esteem behavior. It’s a disservice to everyone who needs your unique talent, but doesn’t know it exists.
Meanwhile, tons of people who know less than you in your field, are showcasing their talent like there the best in the world. What is holding you back though?
The Good News — You already have the answers to what you should do next, to eliminate your low self-esteem at work. Just do the opposite and you’ll be fine. I know it’s not easy, but the results are so addictive, you’ll want to continue trying.
I hope this helped.
Thanks for reading! Don’t forget to leave your thoughts in the comments section.
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