3 workplace bad behaviours to weed out

We often talk about the good qualities of an employee within the workplace, but not so much about the bad habits that should be avoided. Obviously, we know of the actual bad stuff like workplace harassment and disputes. But what we’re talking about are the qualities that often create an unproductive environment. Certain mindsets to our work can definitely affect the way we work. Depending on how you approach your work, you could be moving ahead with ease, or frustration.

These qualities or attitudes may make things harder for you, or even the rest of your team. You might not even be aware of the things that you do, but they could already be holding you back. By getting rid of these negative mindsets, you could improve your work productivity and efficiency. This could even make things easier for your team as well.

Here are three examples of negative mindsets to avoid at work. If you’re guilty of some of these, you might want to reconsider your approach to your work.

1. Negativity

This one’s pretty obvious. In terms of navigating through the workplace, it’s important to keep an open mind. Remember, certain obstacles are unavoidable, and must be dealt with when they come up. This sense of ‘glass half-empty’ perspective can make you easily frustrated and unable to make the right call. You don’t exactly need to be a ‘glass half-full’ person, it’s not about being optimistic about anything. It’s more about recognising opportunity in a bad situation.

Negativity can affect your decision-making abilities, and you may struggle to deal with or adapt to new events that arise. It can also put a stopper on your critical thinking. Pessimism makes us think everything has gone wrong or will go wrong at some point. Then you’re not motivated anymore to deal with any problems. Pressism is also pretty infectious, and can definitely bring down the mood around you. No one likes a downer.

To fix this, try taking small steps to overcome your preconceptions about a situation. Take a second to look closely at the problem at hand. There could be ways to adapt and adjust to an abrupt change. It’s a good thing to be able to recognise events that are not ideal, but there’s no need to focus on them. Examine the problem, and set out a game plan to find new solutions and opportunities.

2. Not being open to collaboration

This can become a huge problem if you work within a team setting. Whether you work in an office or in retail, team dynamics can play a huge part in the workplace. Good teamwork delivers results.

If a project requires a certain level of collaboration and teamwork to complete, everyone needs to be on board and committed to the project for it to succeed. Don’t let your ego take over. This can actually divert your attention away from the task.

It can sometimes be hard to work with people who disagree with you, or have different work styles. You still need to maintain a level of respect for everyone in your team. This requires empathy to understand your differences and learn to accept different opinions. Try to understand that not everyone has the same background and beliefs as you do. This can help you see where they’re coming from, if you find yourself disagreeing with them. Knowing how to deal with someone who isn’t so accommodating is also a great soft skill to have.

If you close yourself off to new ideas and keep pushing for your own ideas, it can keep you from achieving your collective goals. Even if your idea is in fact the better one, it’s crucial to listen to others first. Then you might even combine everyone’s input to formulate a better plan.

3. Constantly doubting yourself

Something employees, especially those in entry level roles, often do is constantly apologising or even doubting their own abilities. They sometimes lack the confidence to really take charge in their work.

It’s normal to feel somewhat anxious or nervous about your own work. But this mindset could also be keeping you from stepping out of your comfort zone. There’s no room for personal growth if you keep doubting your abilities. Your work is a space for you to explore and learn, but not without looking

If you still feel insecure about your position and ability, try reaching out to your supervisor or other colleagues for some guidance. Bounce some ideas off each other. With a little bit of guidance, you might feel more confident to prove yourself in the workplace.

You might not even be aware that you practice these not-so ideal attitudes at work, but now’s the time to recognise them. The first thing is to learn to communicate your thoughts effectively, and to maintain good relationships at work. You don’t have to be best mates with everyone at work, unless you want to. It’s just best to keep things friendly and easy-going.

Also, keeping a tight-knit relationship with your peers can always help. Sharing stories and experiences from work can help you vent out your stress. In the same way, listening to other people’s stories can help gain a new perspective on things.