3 hábitos que podrían estar descarrilando su carrera

Diga no con más frecuencia: aprenda a priorizar y concentrar su tiempo limitado.

El éxito significa asumir riesgos calculados y buscar oportunidades, roles desafiantes o promociones. 

El impacto de nuestras intenciones no siempre es positivo. Si no toman el tiempo para reflexionar, incluso los mejores corren el riesgo de descarrilar sus carreras. El objetivo es superar lo que puede estar retrasándolo.

3 Habits That May Be Derailing Your Career
Jenny Fernandez and Luis Velasquez
c.2022 Harvard Business School Publishing Corp.

Jenny Fernandez and Luis Velasquez are executive coaches.

From HBR.org

Have you ever felt “in the zone” in your professional life? You’re doing great at work, being recognized for your achievements and receiving accolades for your potential. Yet, a few months down the line, you hit a wall, and you can no longer accomplish as much as you did before. You feel frustrated, stuck, confused.

This scenario is not uncommon. Chronic high performers <a href=»https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7378777/» rel=»nofollow»>have been found to exhibit instances of acute underperformance</a>. <a href=»https://www.kornferry.com/about-us/press/detecting-derailers-korn-ferry-institute-study-shows-how-to-find-warning-signs-before-high-potentials-go-off-track» rel=»nofollow»>One study</a> showed that 26% of leaders who were rated by their bosses as having high potential were also seen by their bosses as having high risk of career derailment.

As career coaches, we see derailments occur when employees <a href=»https://hbr.org/2018/01/what-self-awareness-really-is-and-how-to-cultivate-it» rel=»nofollow»>lack self-awareness</a> and unknowingly <a href=»https://www.kornferry.com/about-us/press/detecting-derailers-korn-ferry-institute-study-shows-how-to-find-warning-signs-before-high-potentials-go-off-track» rel=»nofollow»>practice behaviors</a> that will lead them down a damaging path. We’ve identified three common destructive habits that, with effort, can be unlearned.

HABIT 1: PLAYING THE VICTIM

You can’t expect credit for your successes if you never acknowledge your failures. No one wants to work with or for someone who makes excuses or blames others when something goes wrong. To unlearn this behavior, notice your actions and responses when confronted with a challenge. Anytime you find yourself focusing on factors outside of your control, pause, acknowledge your negative thoughts, and then try to detach yourself from them. To move from complaining to positive action, ask yourself, “What am I really committed to here?”

HABIT 2: LOVING THE IDEA OF “BUSYNESS”

Do you often hear yourself saying, “My calendar is packed,” “I can’t take a day off” or “I don’t even have time to eat”? Are you constantly stressed about work? Then you’re probably too busy, and at risk of burning out. To carve out time for what’s truly important, start by scheduling blocks of time on your calendar specifically dedicated to <a href=»https://hbr.org/2017/03/why-you-should-make-time-for-self-reflection-even-if-you-hate-doing-it?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=mtod&amp;referral=00203″ rel=»nofollow»>reflection</a>, relationship-building and learning. <a href=»https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=2414478″ rel=»nofollow»></a>Next, plan to reach out to one new person each week to <a href=»https://hbr.org/2021/06/5-relationships-you-need-to-build-a-successful-career» rel=»nofollow»>strengthen your network</a>. Finally, <a href=»https://hbr.org/2020/09/learn-when-to-say-no» rel=»nofollow»>say no</a> more often — learn how to prioritize and focus your limited time.

HABIT 3: PROTECTING YOUR COMFORT ZONE

Many of us avoid uncomfortable situations, like public speaking or giving feedback to a teammate or manager. As we progress in our careers, we tend to reduce the probability of our own failure by avoiding risky situations and sticking to what we know. But doing this keeps us stuck in the same place. To get out of your comfort zone<a href=»https://hbr.org/2018/12/how-to-overcome-your-fear-of-failure?utm_medium=email&amp;utm_source=newsletter_daily&amp;utm_campaign=mtod&amp;referral=00203″ rel=»nofollow»>, reframe failure</a>. Sometimes you <a href=»https://hbr.org/2014/12/playing-to-win-how-strategy-really-works» rel=»nofollow»>succeed</a>; other times you <a href=»https://hbr.org/2021/11/make-learning-a-part-of-your-daily-routine» rel=»nofollow»>learn</a>. Success means taking calculated risks and going for challenging opportunities, stretch roles or promotions. Every new opportunity has the potential to expand your comfort zone and will give you the <a href=»https://hbr.org/2011/04/how-to-build-confidence» rel=»nofollow»>confidence</a> to take on bigger challenges in the future.

The impact of our intentions isn’t always positive. Without taking the time to self-reflect, even top performers risk derailing their careers. The goal is to overcome what may be setting you back. Though these habits may initially seem harmless, letting them go will have a positive effect on your professional life. It all begins with accountability.