You
probably know that posting derogatory comments about your company or
teammates on social media can get you fired. But under the terms
of at-will
employment,
even a small oversight such as failing to keep your boss in the loop
can result in an unplanned trip to the unemployment line.
For
example, did you know that Apple CEO Tim
Cook fired an executive for
changing the schedules of Apple Store employees and “not fitting in
with the company’s culture”?
With
that as a backdrop, here are six surprisingly common mistakes that
can get you fired:
Thinking Too Far Outside the Box
Software
engineers and business
analysts are
supposed to be innovative problem-solvers, right? Actually, it
depends. Peppering your boss with disruptive or far-out ideas can
lead to dismissal.
“Know
your boundaries,” advised Samantha Hurwitz, author and chief
encouragement officer for Flipskills, a leadership-coaching firm
based in Toronto. “Don’t suggest ideas that are too creative or
risky if your boss is looking for incremental change… Otherwise, he
may think that you don’t understand the organization’s goals or
that you’re too much of a risk-taker.”
Lesson: Think
outside the box—but stay aware of the box’s edges.
Throwing Your Teammates Under the Bus
Your
pet project came in way over budget but it wasn’t your fault. Your
instinct for self-preservation kicks in as you rush into your boss’s
office and demand that he release the programmers who can’t write
tight, error-free code. To your surprise, he gives you the axe
instead.
Lesson: Never
point fingers. Briefly outline the issues without laying blame or
naming names, before quickly switching gears to offer solutions. As
Henry Ford advised: “Don’t find fault, find a remedy.”
Lack of ‘Offensive’ Communication
You
think you’re a rock star because you spend 10 hours a day in your
cubicle crunching code. Unfortunately, the director has no idea what
you’re up to, and when the department’s budget is slashed, you’re
the first one to go.
Lesson: “Don’t
make your boss come to you,” Samantha Hurwitz said. “Take the
initiative to volunteer information. Make sure everyone up the ladder
is aware of your activities and accomplishments.”
Playing Devil’s Advocate
You
tend to view your boss’s ideas with a critical eye and you’re
quick to point out why his or her solutions won’t work. “Over
time, your boss won’t want you around because he’ll come to view
you as a blocker of change,” said Marc Hurwitz, author and chief
insight officer of Flipskills.
Lesson: Leaders
claim they like “having a devil’s advocate on the team,”
Hurwitz added, “but research shows that they prefer supportive
people who try to make their ideas work.”
Trust Violations
Network
admins and security
pros are
well aware that leaking juicy tidbits of information gleaned from
company emails can lead to termination. But what if you accidentally
open a confidential executive memo or folder that you’re not
authorized to view? Should you keep your mouth shut or come clean?
“Even
if it’s an innocent mistake, you should tell your boss about it,”
said Nicole Williams, CEO and founder of WORKS, a career-coaching
firm based in New York City. “If the information in that memo gets
out or your mistake is uncovered during an audit, you could be
fired.”
Lesson: As
the saying goes: It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up that gets
you.
Getting Too Chummy With Customers
So
you’ve bonded with a few key stakeholders; sometimes you even talk
business over lunch or drinks. Your close association leads to
informal email exchanges, text messages and the sharing of inside
jokes. But you might get the boot if a co-worker sees your messages
and files a complaint.
Lesson: Engaging
in casual communications that are overheard or viewed by others can
be problematic. You never know who could be lurking around the
corner, so always maintain a professional demeanor when you interact
with clients, teammates or managers. And never send emails or text
messages during Happy Hour.
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