Sometimes we feel as though our careers have ground to a halt — we are doing all the right things but everything feels rote and uninspiring.
“There are a number of behaviours and beliefs that can hold professionals back. Being aware of these, and considering whether they may have played a role in your career, could help you break free from the cycle of frustration, allowing you to start making real progress towards your goals,” says Advaita Naidoo, Africa MD at Jack Hammer.
She advises:
- Don't expect automatic recognition for your hard work — you need to take credit for it and start conversations about how you can advance in your organisation;
- Remote work has many benefits but it also makes you invisible. Being in the office and interacting in real life with your manager will remind them of your worth and may also increase your chance of promotion;
- Keep your head down and get on with your work, but don't isolate yourself from your team by ignoring the unwritten rules of how colleagues interact and bond;
- You need to network and develop relationships at work, especially with people not in your team, so you can broaden your horizons;
- Resist sharing your complaints at the water cooler — you do not want to be the subject of office gossip, which is a career-limiting move; and
- You may want to blame your managers or your colleagues for feeling stuck, but you are the only one who can make a difference by addressing your concerns and taking action.
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