Mistakes to avoid if you want to get promoted

Getting promoted requires a certain attitude that, while being assertive, does not intimidate those around you. It is an acquired skill to get promoted, demanding that you overcome your ego and show off your abilities with confidence. People who hope to get promoted have a certain air about them that reflects their candor and an innate adeptness for being natural-born leaders.

Attitudes that hinder promotion

Undoubtedly, there are numerous attitudes that detract from the possibility of getting promoted, particularly in a corporate or small-business environment, where people are expected to work as team members. Adding value to the company is vastly different from being a one-man solution to the company’s goals. While you may know a lot, expressing your knowledge will likely hinder your promotion if you deliver it with a self-righteous attitude that reflects negatively on the company as a whole.

• Expressing viewpoints with a negative tone: There are numerous ways to communicate that encourage discussion and direct positive results in any situation. As the saying goes, no one likes a "negative Nancy." Take the time to explore multiple ways to express criticisms in a positive manner.
• Reflecting cockiness and a laissez-faire disposition: Attitudes of indifference are taken seriously in the business world, and they are not dismissed easily. If you wander around the workplace like you have everything under control, and minimize the professional environment you’re lucky to be part of, chances are your boss will respond by passing you over for promotion.
• Expectations of entitlement: While every employee has a job description, no one is above being part of the team. If this means you need to make a pot of coffee, or answer the phone unexpectedly once in a while, so be it. There is no such thing as a menial task when teamwork is required to get the job done.
• Imposing a superior attitude: Bosses tend to avoid promoting people who think they are irreplaceable. Superior attitudes are intimidating, especially in authority figures. It is necessary to strike a balance between knowing what you can do and expressing your leadership skills with a welcome finesse that entices people to encourage your future development.

Behaviors that hinder promotion

While there are definite attitudes to avoid if you want to get promoted, there are also incriminating behaviors that can suggest you are a naturally antagonistic person, a turnoff to any employer. Communication skills need to be honed so that bosses recognize your willingness to adapt to unexpected circumstances. Self-management requires you to respect your coworkers and maintain a professional attitude whenever you represent the company.

• Doing only what is required: Businesses function most effectively when employees are willing to go the extra mile. Job descriptions should be thought of as guidelines for adequate performance. They should not limit your willingness to do whatever is necessary to perform your job to the best of your ability, even if that means doing tasks not outlined in your job description.
• Expanding your knowledge and abilities: Getting promoted is about accepting more responsibility. People who deny themselves opportunities to continue their education, or minimize participation in corporate activities that promote personal growth and business development, are likely to be overlooked when promotions and new job openings become available.
• Playing favorites with other employees and coworkers: True leadership skills include the ability to maintain an unbiased and nonjudgmental attitude toward others. Social butterflies may have strong people skills and be well-liked, but they are not necessarily the premier candidates for promotion. People who exercise prudence and use discretion around other employees have a higher chance of getting promoted than people who play favorites and gossip with coworkers.

Bosses recognize attitudes and behaviors that show confidence and a willingness to perform at higher levels. They are trained to separate the leaders from the workers, thereby promoting those who envision continuing success for the company. While it is important to monitor your attitudes and behaviors when seeking a promotion, it is just as important to effectively communicate your desire to earn one.