Common Bad Habits at Work

Bad habits are the ones we do that we don’t notice that usually irritate others around us and stunt our progress in some way, shape or form. They come so naturally that we continue doing these things, oblivious to the consequences. At their worst, they can really impact your relationships with others and no where is this more evident that in the workplace. Here are some common bad habits displayed in the workplace and you will probably recognize more than a few.

“The Busybody”

There is always one or two of these people. They demand to be in the loop and like to be aware of everything going on at work, regardless of whether it impacts them personally or not.

If you are one of those people who cannot resist participating in every conversation you hear with your antennae-like hearing, think twice. A coworker who is not capable of minding their own business irritates people excessively. Not only that, if it does involve you, you will be brought into the loop when necessary. If it does not, you are just wasting time. Stick to your own work and do not worry about others.

“Be Prepared”

Being ill-prepared for meetings and deadlines on a consistent basis is extremely frustrating for others who have arranged their schedules or rely on your part of a project to be complete. If you cannot meet a deadline, try to give as much notice as possible. Talk to your supervisor and explain the problems you are having as perhaps he or she will be able to offer the assistance to get things on track. Waiting until 5 minutes after the work was due, just fuels the frustration in others.

Likewise, take 15 to 30 minutes before each meeting and refresh yourself of the topic. Write down the questions you have and highlight the points you would like to make or focus on. Going to a meeting expecting everyone else to “catch you up” is just a waste of time and may result in excluding you from future important meetings.

“The Yes-man”

Stop saying yes to everything your supervisor suggests. Surely you disagree once in awhile? Then say so. A persistent yes-man looks like someone seeking the boss’ approval and will be labeled an ass-kisser – something uniformly detested by co-workers and bosses alike.

Your boss will develop a new level of respect for you if you can articulately challenge their directives from time to time. To practice, think about all of the initiatives that your boss has made recently to which you agreed. Was there a valid reason to disagree or challenge it? Write it down and become well-versed in challenging your boss when merited.

“Over-exposed Personal Life”

Not everyone cares about your personal life. In fact, at work, if you are constantly sharing unsolicited stories about your personal life, they almost definitely don’t care. What’s worse, is these stories and tidbits about your husband, boyfriend, wife, kids, car, budgie, whatever, can become the subject of very hurtful jokes shared behind your back.

While most people are not interested in your personal life but are too polite to say so, there are some who genuinely like to know more about you. The key is to wait until asked, offer only the information requested or decline politely if you wish not to share and listen carefully to ensure they are still interested.

“Too Loud”

If you are not aware of the volume of your voice, you could be too loud. People are very sensitive to distractions of noise and if your booming voice and speakerphone conferences are frequent or taking place in an open office environment, chances are people are very much irritated by them.

Keep office doors closed or use the boardroom for phone conversations if you have a loud voice. It goes without saying, that personal conversations are an even bigger drain on productivity.

“Confidence”

Your self-esteem and career success are very much dependant on your self-confidence. If you are unsure of yourself, others will be unsure of you too. Demonstrate that your work is strong and can be relied upon by others. Avoid making excuses for mistakes and tardy assignments.

Offer a short apology and move on to demonstrating the value of your contribution.