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13 mistakes that will hurt your career, And how to fix them fast: 1. Blind Loyalty ↳Staying in a job because it's easy or you're loyal, even if they might not be loyal in return ↳Fix: Regularly assess whether your company values you and your role challenges you; if not, explore other options 2. Self-Doubt ↳Imposter syndrome can keep you from opportunities you're qualified for ↳Fix: Keep a success journal, challenge self-doubt with evidence, and remember that growth requires learning 3. Invisible Effort ↳Working hard isn't enough - you need visibility and strategic relationships too ↳Fix: Speak up in meetings, document and update your manager on accomplishments, and build relationships 4. Outdated Skills ↳If you stop learning, you become less valuable in the job market over time ↳Fix: Take online courses, earn certifications, and follow industry trends to stay competitive 5. No Network ↳Career growth often depends as much or more on who you know than what you know ↳Fix: Set a goal to reach out to two new contacts per month and reconnect with former colleagues 6. Avoiding Feedback ↳Feedback can be scary, but without it, you won't know what's holding you back ↳Fix: Schedule regular check-ins with your manager and ask, "What's one thing I could improve?" 7. No Negotiation ↳If you never negotiate, you're leaving money, promotions, or opportunities on the table ↳Fix: Practice negotiation conversations, and learn to ask for what you want in a professional way 8. Risk Avoidance ↳Growth comes from challenges - staying safe can limit your potential ↳Fix: Take on stretch projects and volunteer for cross-function work with new people 9. Burned Bridges ↳How you leave a company matters - future opportunities can depend on your reputation ↳Fix: Maintain professionalism in all exits, no matter the circumstances, and apologize when necessary 10. Weak Branding ↳Your reputation online and offline shapes how people perceive your expertise ↳Fix: Build your personal brand, posting insights here on LinkedIn and contributing to industry discussions 11. Health Sacrifice ↳Burnout and poor health will set you back more than taking care of yourself ↳Fix: Prioritize sleep, exercise, and stress management, and remember that rest makes you MORE productive not less 12. Lack of Goals ↳Without direction, you risk wasting years in roles that don't serve you ↳Fix: Define short-term and long-term goals, then reverse-engineer a plan to achieve them 13. No Backup ↳Leaving on impulse can leave you financially and professionally vulnerable ↳Fix: Before quitting, secure another job, ensure financial stability, or have a well-thought-out strategy There will be enough obstacles in your way throughout your career - You should never be one of them. Use this sheet to avoid undermining yourself, And to thrive professionally. Any mistakes you'd add? --- ♻️ Repost to help others avoid these. And follow me George Stern for more content like this.
Success isn’t just about avoiding mistakes—it’s about controlling the frame of your career. Too many people let external circumstances dictate their path instead of deliberately shaping it. The biggest mistake? Operating reactively instead of proactively. One addition: Failing to master influence. Your career isn’t just about skills and networking—it’s about how well you influence perception, decisions, and opportunities. Those who master authority, confidence, and behavioral skills own the room. They don’t wait for doors to open—they get invited through them. Solid list, George Stern. These principles apply at every level.
Blind loyalty is one of the most overlooked career risks. If your company isn’t investing in your growth, you owe them nothing beyond your agreed responsibilities. Career security comes from skills, not tenure.
That’s the fast track to feeling stuck. But the beauty of this list is that every mistake has a fix. George Stern
Number 5 hits hard for me George Stern I never believed in networking or building any sort of support network When I was made redundant, this hurt me. When I started my own business, this hurt me. A network is a must.
Career growth requires ongoing learning and visibility, don’t let self-doubt hold you back. George Stern
Finding a mentor can greatly boost your journey. They can help you navigate these mistakes and grow in your career.
Spot on, George. #3 and #6 are solid.
Put your heart into you job but prioritize yourself.
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Leadership Isn’t a Title. It’s an Entanglement. Uncover Your Leadership: From Mastery to Collective Success. Rewire Mindsets, Elevate Teams & Drive Change. Reshape Culture for Sustainable Growth. Multilingual Triathlete.
6moGeorge, career success is not just about avoiding mistakes, it is about consciously designing a path that aligns with your values and aspirations. Beyond these 13, one critical mistake is lacking inner coherence, when your actions, values, and goals are misaligned, burnout and stagnation follow. My signature program helps leaders develop self-awareness and clarity, ensuring they make career decisions from a place of confidence, not fear. What is one career mistake you learned from, and how did it shape your growth?