Navigating your career is always a tough task – you never know if you’re making the right decision until you’ve actually made it.
But not to fear, as an executive from Google themselves has highlighted the best ways you can climb the corporate ladder.
Daniel Rizea is a director of engineering at the technology company, explaining that the ways to become a success is to know what to avoid, as he explained all in a piece for Business Insider.
Citing advice from investor Charlie Munger, which was ‘surprising, if not simple’ to follow, a lot of people wouldn’t think about the basics.
If he’s from one of the biggest organisations in the world, he might know a thing or two. (Nikolas Kokovlis/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Daniel remembered Charlie’s words: “Avoiding ruin is better than chasing after fast and easy tricks for success, which usually turn out to be wrong.”
But to be even more specific, there are five things you should avoid to further your career, and here they are.
Pushing for a promotion too soon
It’s crucial that you’re ambitious, but there is such a thing as being overly ambitious, says Daniel.
Pushing yourself to a place or position that you’re not ready for could lead to underperformance, which could jeopardise your career.
He advised: “Getting a promotion when you’re not quite ready may negatively impact yourself and your career trajectory. I have seen many people burn out and quit because they were underperforming at their new level.”
He says that it is common for people to think that they are ready for the next step (or more money), but has devised a way of thinking that will determine if you’re really ready or not, all you need to do is imagine you get a promotion tomorrow.
“If [the thought of being promoted] surprises you, you are most likely not ready because you don’t see yourself performing at that level,” he said.
The Google Director says that working hard is a must. (X/Daniel Rizea)
Doing all that is necessary to get by
Underworking is one of the worst things you can do, and is the polar opposite of overselling your abilities, and it’s important to find the balance.
Daniel stated that doing the ‘bare minimum’ can stop your growth and also reduces not only your interest in work, but your happiness and your luck.
He also warned that removing yourself from aspects of your job can result in missing out on huge opportunities and projects that could get you to the next step.
Putting less than 100% effort in
The Google director reminded people that talent means nothing, if you don’t work hard – really hard.
He highlighted: “Some people waste a lot of time figuring out creative ways or shortcuts and realise they might as well have done the work.”
The basics are often forgotten, and can get you a long way. (Jakub Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
A lot of job hopping
This can negatively impact your career, according to Daniel, as you never give yourself enough time to grow into and familiarise yourself with a role and a company.
Speaking to ‘individual contributors’ who aim to obtain a ‘leadership position’, he claims that you need two years minimum to grow the skill set required.
In this time, you’ll be able to showcase what kind of projects you can deliver and give multiple examples of good work a number of times, to build trust in your team and among higher-ups.
“If you change your job every year, you’ll never develop your leadership skills fully. You’ll start multiple times from the same spot but never complete the full cycle,” Daniel claims.
Being unapproachable or untrustworthy
Trust is crucial in the workplace, with Daniel labelling it as ‘essential’ yet fragile, as it is easy to lose but hard to obtain in the first place.
He concludes: “When someone new joins a team or organization, the team assesses, consciously or subconsciously, whether the person is competent and trustworthy.”
Featured Image Credit: X/Daniel Rizea / JOSH EDELSON/AFP/Getty Images