Found two good articals "Seven Career Killers" and "Top 7 habits your boss is sure to love".
Seven Career Killers
John McPhee, Forbes.com published at
(http://hotjobs.yahoo.com/career-articles-seven_career_killers-286)
Kudos to the paltry 14% of us who keep New Year's resolutions. The vast majority -- a full 86% -- go right back to our counterproductive ways as it relates to personal health, careers, relationships, and otherwise. Forgo the ever popular New Year's resolution to lose weight and, instead, commit to avoiding a simple list of career-killers that so often result in hearing the feared words, "You're fired," again and again in the course of a career.
Avoiding these seven deadly sins will also help individuals balance their "whole life" and assure they are ready to take on new workplace challenges as they are presented -- and execute them well.
Peter Drucker, the famed management author, guru, and teacher said it best: "Lifting a person's vision to higher sights, is the raising of a person's performance to a higher standard." Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes.
Deadly Workplace Sins
At least seven "deadly workplace sins" detail key emotional offenses professionals should avoid at all costs to better assure upward career mobility. A few common sense tips will help aspiring pros get on the path to the ever-elusive paycheck promise land.
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Pride
First, there's pride. Far too many who experience "workplace wins" take full credit for these achievements, regardless of any support or assistance received in the process. What often goes unrecognized is that people around, and especially below, the serially solo-successful resent the egocentricity, and may actually begin to actively undermine that person's efforts in the future. While one's pride wants all due recognition, a team philosophy can build the grass-roots support that can fast-track a career. Indeed, a dose of acknowledgment of and appreciation for one's peers and subordinates, so they may share in some of the glory, can go a long way to foster one's long-term success.
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Envy
Moreover, while it's OK to recognize other individuals or organizations as they achieve, lamenting "what should have been yours" can be destructive and can adversely impact your own ability to focus on the job tasks at hand. Becoming envious of others in the workplace can sabotage your self esteem, which is one vital characteristic of every successful worker or executive. Rather than being envious, let the accomplishments of others become motivational fuel for your fire in working toward your own successes.
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Anger
Anger is another motion that needs to be held in check. Begetting nothing but disagreement, dispute, tension or conflict, anger provides no benefit in the workplace. There is simply nothing productive about anger, which impairs one's objectivity, poise and self control. Don't let a bout of righteousness damage your reputation and image in the workplace. It's fine to feel passionately about your job or a project at hand and to disagree with others, but learn how to channel those emotions into actions that will work to your benefit in the eyes of others -- especially your superiors -- rather than against it. Those prone to angry outbursts rarely get promoted; they are seen as being poor leaders who cannot inspire or motivate others.
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Short-sightedness
One's selfish desire for "more, sooner" is what motivates many in the Western culture to achieve their career goals. But taking this notion to the extreme can and will be self defeating as core values become misguided and life becomes unbalanced in the process. The road to success requires a long term approach in all aspects of one's job duties. Those laser-focused on quick, short-term gains may do well for the moment, but will be ill-prepared to take things to the next level.
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Complacency
At the other end of the spectrum, sloth, or simply put, complacency and laziness have no place whatsoever in the workplace -- especially for those with high aspirations. Expecting one's past achievements and successes to carry them forward in their long-term career is imprudent. Today's uber-competitive global marketplace ensures that only those who continue to grow, evolve and make fresh contributions of value will succeed. In a global environment where outsourcing is becoming a norm, everyone at all levels of the employment "food chain" is now replaceable. So treat every work day and every project as if your job, and your future at large, depends on it. It very well may.
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Imbalance
Many individuals move up the corporate ladder so fast that they actually end up failing as a consequence. More isn't always better -- especially if you're not ready for the challenge at hand. It's important to ensure that you are not only professionally ready to take on a new and bigger challenge, for which expectations are equally bigger, but also that your personal life is ready for the new demands and strains to be placed upon it. Achieving career success also includes maintaining a life balance, and a misplaced professional desire can create a backlash both at home as well as amid peers for your perceived obsessiveness.
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Lust
At times this can spill over to lust. An overly intense desire for what others have achieved at work, or being chronically dissatisfied with one's own status, is a surefire career killer. Spending an inordinate amount of time fixated on what you don't have rather than what you do will foster a bad attitude and negative overall demeanor.
Above all, one's overall "presence" in the office plays a big part in who gets promoted and who doesn't. No matter how ambitious, it's prudent to be present and make the most out of your current position at this moment in time. Organizations recognize and reward those with a good attitude who make the most of a situation. Winners recognize other's success with sportsmanlike conduct, while at the same time exhibiting an air of confidence that they, and their team, will realize their own great achievements.
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Top 7 habits your boss is sure to love
by Guest Contributor | Feb 12, 2007 8:00:00 AM published at (http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10881_11-6158548.html)
Takeaway: On the job front your boss holds Cupid's proverbial arrow, deciding whether or not your warm feelings toward the job you are vying for are reciprocated. Because he or she can be the most influential champion for your career momentum, it’s imperative to get, and stay, in his or her good graces. Here's how.
By John McKee
Securing a career promotion is much like dating. You identify who to "romance," make yourself as attractive as possible to elicit mutual interest, check for compatibility, and begin a wonderful relationship. But just as those who date can end up with their hearts broken, the same holds true for those aspiring to climb the corporate ladder.
On the job front your boss holds Cupid's proverbial arrow, deciding whether or not your warm feelings toward the job you are vying for are reciprocated. Because he or she can be the most influential champion for your career momentum, it’s imperative to get, and stay, in his or her good graces. To help make yourself as "attractive" as possible, here are this year’s top 7 habits your boss is sure to love:
1. Come prepared
Whether it’s a group meeting in the conference room or a one-on-one with your boss, the more information you have surrounding the subject at hand, the more likely you are to be seen as the one who is in the best position to perform what’s needed--now and in the future. Far too many folks arrive at meetings under-prepared, so this is one easy way to gain adoration from above.
2. Understand the "circle of success."
It’s advisable to spend a measurable amount of time ensuring the boss looks good—whether it's deserved or not. When (s)he understands that you are able to help her/him succeed, you and your team will get more time, positive attention, and resources facilitating your own productivity.
3. Recognize efficiency does not equal effectiveness.
Those who think that communicating via e-mail replaces the need to actually talk with people around them--including the boss--fail to recognize the importance of personally connecting with others in today’s highly automated and technological environment. Communicating in person whenever possible is imperative for success-seekers, no matter how intimidating or unaccommodating your boss may be.
4. Know what you’re worth.
Employees who know what’s going on in the market gain additional respect from their bosses. By keeping on top of the job market, where new companies are, who’s hiring, and what your value is to the company, you present yourself as a professional who is seeking career opportunity, which can increase your perceived value to the company. Just be careful not to position this information as if you’re "shopping around" for a job elsewhere, lest they feel you’re not committed to the organization and lose trust in you.
5. Look like you’re already at the next level.
Carry yourself with best posture and wear attire that imparts your professional stature, abilities, and success. If the boss knows you are easily intimidated, you might as well wear a target on your chest.
6. Keep your skill set current.
The business landscape is ever-changing and there is more demand for jobs than supply. Those who stay current, keeping their skills and thinking fresh are always regarded as valuable and important team members.
7. Deliver the goods.
In business, it’s all about accountability. Bosses love those who keep in mind that they are there to perform a function, not come up with excuses as to why they couldn’t deliver results. If for whatever reason you have fallen short in a task, admit it. Don’t use hollow-sounding excuses, but rather show that you take responsibility for the shortfall and are willing to "make good." The boss will respect your approach.
