3 small mistakes that can get you into big trouble at work, from an HR professional

Table of Contents

• As a human resources professional with 20 years of experience, Leigh Henderson has witnessed numerous workplace errors made by employees.
• It's essential to develop a strong relationship with your supervisor in order to achieve professional advancement.
• Effective communication with your coworkers and having supportive colleagues on your side is also crucial for staying out of trouble at work.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Leigh Henderson, the 42-year-old chief executive officer of HRManifesto Based in San Antonio. Edited for length and clarity.

I spent almost 20 years as a top leader in the human resources field, assisting several Fortune 100 companies before launching my online community, HRManifesto, and podcast, "HR Besties."

Trusting a "work bestie" who's sharing your confidential information with your supervisor.

involves these three mistakes.

ng a relationship with

I've noticed it time and time again: Managers and employees seemed to be at odds, so the employee just wanted to avoid dealing with the manager altogether.

Managing professional interactions, such as severance packages, incentives, salary hikes, and more. When you don't put effort into a professional relationship, it can lead to difficulties.

"He doesn't seem to like me." To me, that's the problem of the leader, but not all leaders are good leaders, and on your end, you want to do what you can.

Can you please schedule a meeting with me?

Let your supervisor know you'd like to stay in touch so they're aware of what you're working on and you're meeting expectations. This will be your chance to receive any important company updates and make sure you're on track with your goals.

2. Non-communicance or Miscommunication

Many people get into trouble at work due to things they shouldn't say. I've noticed that individuals often find themselves in difficult situations when they send an email that contains profanity, which leaves a permanent record they might later regret.

I worked with someone whose emails would sometimes include "FU" in the subject line. Later, I found out that's what they were using it for - an acronym for "following up." Since they weren't adding a slash between the letters, I didn't catch the meaning at first. Lacking knowledge can sometimes lead people to make incorrect assumptions about you, even assuming you're a bad or impolite person, which can lead to trouble if you're not careful.

If you're aware of your communication limitations, let your colleagues know in a straightforward manner, such as saying, "I'm not comfortable with exchanging pleasantries over digital channels, so consider this a heads-up." In my opinion, it's not always necessary to engage in small talk before every interaction, but when communicating digitally, it's polite to begin with a simple greeting before making requests.

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— people who will look out for your reputation in your absence. This becomes more challenging when you distance yourself from others or show no willingness to work with them.

Even if you excel in your role, being unknown to others in the company can undermine your success. If nobody knows you, it's likely that you'll miss out on valuable insights, struggle to build connections with colleagues, and be viewed as a challenging team member. This situation can put your job at risk and limit your opportunities for advancement.

Participate actively in meetings, speak up with your thoughts and ideas, and offer suggestions for solutions. Taking a short break to chat with colleagues in the break room can also be beneficial. Alternatively, if you work remotely, consider having regular one-on-one conversations with your coworkers, just like you would with your manager.

It's beneficial for your mental health to stay connected with colleagues who have a positive influence. If you suspect a coworker doesn't have your best interests in mind, it's still worth making an effort to maintain a neutral relationship, at the very least.

Be cautious about who you can trust at work, safeguard your well-being, and maintain effective communication.

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