Ambitious career persons sometimes get carried away by their desire for career advancement. So they do things more to impress decision makers, than to make useful impact in the workplace. Unfortunately, many end up sabotaging the careers they seek to progress in the process. This article offers ideas to help you avoid such a fate.

Wrong Motives Can Lead You Astray…and Cause You Pain

Human nature is like that. Sometimes what we strongly desire pushes us to act out of character. And if we lack access to sincere – and wise – people to call us to order, serious mistakes can happen.

It rarely matters what kind of work you do. What matters is how you play your part, in helping the organisation progress towards its goals.

If you’ve been reading my articles on career development, you’ll know I recommend you AVOID saying “But that’s not my job”…to most genuine requests.

Unless you intend to buy your way to the top, it’s just not a wise thing for a person with career ambitions to say.

But just as I advocate going out of your way, where possible – or necessary – to help out, I do NOT believe in the use of pretence. In other words, trying to curry favour by being a yes-man, or acting subservient, is not worth it.

Most straightforward minded people will see through such actions, and instantly conclude you’re not being sincere. That’s likely to colour their perception of any other thing you do subsequently.

Even when you do something useful, with no hidden motives, they’re likely to read meanings into your efforts. You would be second guessed – a lot…and it can become quite painful.

A Reputation That Makes Others Unwilling to Trust You Will Be Costly

Do not do anything to make people start questioning your motives at work.

Carefully evaluate any activity you wish to engage in, before you take action. Weigh the pros and cons, to see if going ahead will be justifiable, and beneficial to the company.

Consider any potential misinterpretations of your intentions that could occur. Ask a friend if you lack knowledge, insight or experience to do this as thoroughly as is needed. Doing so can save you pain!

Here’s why…

My experience in organisational settings taught me that “silent” (and sometimes not-so-silent) rivalries of all kinds exist. It could be between individuals, groups or even departments.

An employee wishing to flourish in the workplace must learn to navigate those “mine fields” of mistrust and suspicion, in carrying out his/her duties.

No matter how neutral you act/feel, if rivalry exists between your boss and another departmental head, for instance, you must exercise caution.

Let’s say you have a skill you’ve actively put to use to improve your department’s performance.

The other departmental head could request your help in developing similar solutions for her section.

Being a naturally team minded player, with the interest of the company at heart, you could say YES.

And it would normally be the right thing to do.

However, doing so and especially going ahead to use your skills to develop those solutions for your boss’ rival could spell trouble for you later on.

How?

Well, your boss could interpret your action as a betrayal of sorts. What’s more (and worse!), s/he could actually conclude you did it deliberately, or that you’re siding with his/her perceived rival.

Now, understand this.

At your level in the organisation, you may not be able to see what "prize" your boss and his/her rival are "chasing".

They could both be eying a single top management opening. Despite knowing they both need to work for the overall company’s interest, their personal ambitions could drive them to not cooperate as well as they could.

In such instances, if your boss discovers you, a subordinate, helping “the enemy”, s/he could get upset. Some of the bosses can do this subtly.

Instead of making a scene, s/he could make life difficult for you as a punishment.

Others simply let their emotions fly…such that a casual observer could ask: “But why does the boss always speak or act harshly towards you?”

I say all these based on personal experiences and observations.

Final Words: Avoid Interpersonal Complications – Like The Above Mentioned – Altogether!

Depending on how well managed a company is, a subordinate being victimised may – or may not – get “saved” from it.

That’s why it’s always better, to smartly evaluate potential implications of your intended actions, before you take them. That way, you’ll be better able to steer clear of sticky situations, that could derail your career ambitions in the long run.

Keep the above in mind, as you seek to make useful impact to advance your career at work!