Sometimes you do things and have no idea the impact it’s having on the people in your life. You work hard and truly believe you are the best version of yourself. Although that may be true at the moment, let’s look at a few ways you could be turning people off.
Breaking promises
“Let’s do lunch” or “We should get together” are empty phrases from some people. Your reputation is the only currency you have to spend. The minute you develop a pattern of not calling or not showing up when you said you would, you devalue your reputation.
Inconsistently following up
Most people fail because they never follow up. The power of networking can only be realized when there is consistent follow-up. You may need to invest a few weeks, months or even years before your networking really begins to work for you at optimum speed. Lay out a plan and outline a variety of ways in which you can stay connected with your key contacts.
Pretending to know the right people
They seem to know everyone, but if you dig a little deeper you quickly realize it’s all smoke and mirrors. Being introduced to an influential person does not mean you know the person. You may look good temporarily, but it will always come back to hinder your relationship-building skills in the future.
Being a professional faultfinder
People who go out of their way to complain constantly and berate coworkers are very insecure with themselves. The only power they feel they possess is the power to speak ill of others and predict doom and gloom. Faultfinders never leave themselves open long enough to see the opportunity that lies in challenging situations. They prefer to spend time talking about the problem and/or person and not about solutions.
Talking nonstop
You tune out the colleagues that corner you at lunch or feel the need to stop by your desk–not for a quick hello but for a lengthy conversation with no professional relevance. You make excuses to leave the room or you might even hide from them, but they still miss the hint. The nonstop talkers can make your daily work routine unbearable at times.
Sticking only to your job description
You can almost hear it echoing down the halls when a team member says, “That’s not in my job description.” In today’s economy, job descriptions are simply a guideline the company uses so you know what to expect in general. Widen your skill level every opportunity you get. Having the added experience will build your résumé and let upper level management know that you are serious about your career advancement.
