Will You Avoid Career "Derailment"?

Why do the careers of talented people often go "off the tracks"?

And research shows that it happens to 30 – 50% of career professionals!

It is puzzling and it is true!

Based on research at the Center for Creative Leadership, talented people who are on an upward climb, often exhibit the following traits and characteristics:

• They have developed an initial strong track record (they hit targets, get bottom-line results, they achieve significant wins, etc.)
• They have a set of "smarts" (it could be intellectual, it could be analytical, it could be technical, etc.)
• They demonstrate strong commitment and are willing to sacrifice
• They are driven and ambitious

But, then a "darker side" emerges!

• Their initial strong track record of success leads to arrogance
• Whatever their set of smarts, it leads them to dismiss and devalue people who seem less smart to them
• Their commitment and sacrifice leads to justification of questionable activities and practices
• Their ambition often leads them to do what is necessary to succeed, even at the expense of others.

Because of this darker side, their career starts to unravel!

What happens next? Here are the possibilities:

• They are passed-over for a promotion
• They are demoted
• They are given lateral moves (often sold as "opportunities"!)
• They are forced to resign or retire
• They are terminated

Their weaknesses and "fatal flaws" have caught up with them!

They had strengths, which led them to a darker side, which finally resulted in a serious career derailment.

For example,

• Their demanding mindset evolved into dictatorial actions
• Their decisiveness turned into arbitrary decisions
• Their perseverance led them to stubbornness
• Their tough-mindedness led them to bullying tactics

Unfortunately, they often don’t see it. They developed blind spots and these blind spots eventually do them in.

What are the most common flaws that lead a person to derail?

• Interpersonal Insensitivity (abrasiveness, abruptness, intimidation, creating fear, demeaning behavior, unwilling to listen, etc)
• Inability to adapt to a new set of circumstances ( a new challenge, a new location, a new culture, etc.)
• Inability to work with a new boss (different values, different priorities, different style, etc.)

What steps can you take to ensure that you are not a victim of career "derailment"?

• Consistently expose yourself to experiences that enhance your self-awareness (read business books, listen to business CD’s, attend seminars, read professional journals, use self-assessment tools)
• Pay close attention to negative feedback from others. This feedback could come in performance reviews or informal discussions. Take it seriously. Listen. Ask questions. Try to understand it.
• Review and analyze “critical incidents”. A critical incident is a high profile experience that gets you a result less than you expected. There are usually strong emotions attached to the incident. It could come in the form of a major complaint from others or a negative incident with others.
• Get a mentor inside the organization. Find someone you trust and is trusted in the organization, and lean on that person for advice and guidance.
• Hire an outside professional coach to work with you. An outside coach will give you an independent perspective and an objective viewpoint. A good coach will give you options and alternatives for action. They will point you in a direction to help achieve your goals. They will act as an accountability partner. Coaching can be done face-to-face, on the phone or by e-mail (or all three!)

The good news is that career derailment is largely preventable if the talented employee takes the right steps to eliminate "fatal flaws"!

 

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