Avoid Burnout on the Job
It’s easy to assume that our bosses love us and our coworkers respect us, but when was the last time you did a little self-reflection? Are you tardy? Are you a bit more negative than you recognize? Some personality traits just don’t belong in the workplace, while others remain highly revered—which is why we’ve broken down some of each!
1. Passive-Aggressiveness
No one likes to deal with passive-aggressive people, especially in the workplace. However, that attitude isn’t good for your mental health, either! There’s nothing worse than beating around the bush or tiptoeing over someone’s feelings. It’s better for everyone if you say what you mean and keep things authentic.
2. Cockiness
Bosses love a little initiative now and then—but there’s a difference between confidence and cockiness. It’s a fine line to walk, and a bit of humility can help toe the line, but don’t walk into the office like the whole place would crumble without you.
3. Stubbornness
Alright, we’ll say it: sometimes our bosses are wrong. We don’t always want to dive into new projects or spearhead vast overhauls, but stubbornness won’t win you any brownie points. If you have an issue, there’s nothing wrong with a simple discussion. Flat-out refusal, on the other hand, won’t go over well.
4. Procrastination
Procrastination is for college, not the workforce! With our innocent days behind us, the best employees know how dangerous it is to sit on projects until the last minute. Do yourself a favor and get a head start on your work. Trust us, management won’t appreciate the delay, either.
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5. Negativity
Sometimes you have a bad day. Other times, a colleague gets under your skin. We’re all human, and it’s okay to feel the heat…but constant negativity is a no-no. You’re not only harming yourself, but you’re alienating yourself from a potential support group.
6. Tardiness
Punctuality beats tardiness every time, especially at work. No one appreciates delayed meetings or late projects, and constant tardiness won’t earn you any recognition at work—at least, not the good kind.
7. Laziness
Laziness affects everyone, which is exactly why people hate it in the workplace. Everything from missed deadlines to poorly executed projects can impact your company, and management won’t take kindly to half-done work. While you don’t need to kick it into high gear, you can still do your job on time.
8. Complaining
Complaints come and go in the workplace, and we’re all guilty of losing our cool. However, there’s a difference between blowing off steam and constant negativity. Yes, it sucks to work late. And yes, it sucks to bring work home with you. But everyday complaints only lower morale for you and your colleagues.
9. Apathy
Employees everywhere fought back against the notion of “quiet quitting.” After all, what’s the harm in doing what you’re paid to do? We agree! The thing is, a lot of employees don’t exactly do their job—their apathy precludes them from meeting tasks or completing projects, and that’s when it’s an issue.
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10. Dishonesty
You wouldn’t like it if someone lied to you, right? That’s more than enough reason to be honest at work! Dishonesty is a surefire way to alienate yourself from coworkers. It also quickly puts you on the chopping block come review time.
With a few negative traits out of the way, let’s dive into which ones belong in every workplace.
1. Communication
It doesn’t matter if it’s your partner or your boss—communication is the key to a happy relationship. The last thing you want is to have crossed wires, and proper communication ensures everyone is on the same page. It also opens the door for people to trust you.
2. Adaptability
Hey, no one likes change. However, the workplace constantly moves with the tide, and only the best employees adapt. Working around new rules and strategies shows management just how reliable you are.
3. Teamwork
Even WFH employees know the importance of teamwork! You need to collaborate with colleagues every day, so it’s always a good idea to lend a helping hand. It’s a little silly, but there’s a reason they say “teamwork makes the dream work.”
4. Reliability
Bosses love employees who follow through. Coworkers respect people they can depend on. Reliability gets you far in life, not just at the office; hand in your work on time, speak at every meeting, and honor those commitments.
5. Positivity
Now hang on a second—we’re not talking about toxic positivity. You don’t need to “look on the bright side” of every situation, but you should keep a smile on your face. Look for the silver lining instead of immediately diving into complaints. Your boss, your coworkers, and your mental health will thank you.
6. Honesty
You can’t always have honest discussions at work, but it’s important to remain as truthful as you can. Honesty comes in many forms, too, such as being true to yourself or standing firm in your decisions. Honesty also means accountability and reporting unethical behavior.
7. Organization
Organization is a lot more for you than your boss. Sure, management appreciates routines and completed checklists, but prioritized tasks and a tidy desk also benefit your mental health! You’ll feel a lot better when you’re efficient.
8. Dependability
People want to know they can count on you. Dependability has many faces, namely showing up on time and consistently delivering quality work. However, it can also look like proactive solutions and owning up to your mistakes.
9. Empathy
It’s so easy to point the finger at work, but a little empathy goes a long way. Take a step back and consider why someone behaves the way they do. You might not become best friends with them, but you can try to meet them halfway, which makes it easier for you.
10. Creativity
Creativity isn’t just for ad agencies! You have dozens of ways to be creative in any environment: new solutions to problems, proactive strategies to better your department, collaborations, and continuous learning all help get the juices flowing.
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