These 4 toxic mindsets can hurt you at work, psychologist says: They impact ‘all of us’

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A strong professional reputation will carry more weight in advancing your career than just your education and skills on their own.

It's a good idea to have a certain level of "status" within your workplace, which means you have the power to make decisions and your co-workers have the utmost respect for you, argues Alison Fragale, a UNC expert.

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Fragale has spent the last 20 years studying the effects of influence and power, and asserts that people's professional difficulties are often, at least to some extent, a result of how they are perceived at their workplace.

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Status is a fundamental human need, which means we all seek it," says Fragale. "We look for respect from different people in different ways, but feeling respected and valued by those who matter gives us a satisfying life, both physically and mentally.

Here are four limiting mindsets that you should ditch in order to boost your status and become highly successful, according to Fragale.

I refuse to let the opinions of others influence my thoughts and feelings about myself.

Acting naturally at work, without trying to become someone more professional, is usually viewed as a positive trait. However, if your attitude makes you disregard all feedback, you'll get into trouble more quickly, as Fragale advises.

Businesses usually rely on friendships and teamwork among employees. If your coworkers - or more seriously, your supervisor - think you're ignoring their comments, they may start to see you as a difficult person or hard to work with, which could damage your chance to move up in the workplace.

"People's perceptions of us can play a big role in our overall well-being," says Fragale. The more you demonstrate that you consider and act on feedback, the more you'll demonstrate your emotional intelligence and earn the trust of your colleagues.

I don't have time for this

Small gestures can help boost your professional standing, such as arranging a coffee meeting with a coworker or assisting a new employee with a task. Says Fragale, it's a good idea to make time for them in your hectic schedule.

If you don't make time for this, you might encounter some unforeseen problems, she points out: If your supervisor believes your workload is too heavy to devote 20 minutes to a casual conversation, they may not consider you for additional tasks, which are often a factor in determining whether you're eligible for a pay raise or promotion.

Schedule time to build your reputation, Fragale suggests: "Find a daily habit, or two, that you can consistently practice to enhance your standing. It doesn't have to be something you do every single day, but rather something you can commit to regularly."

You could set aside time to brainstorm ideas for your next team meeting, or take courses or workshops to improve your skills. Fragale shares advice and information on social media five days a week to enhance her professional reputation, she notes.

Even when you're feeling frenzied, others may view you in a more positive light.

I want to avoid being considered attention-hungry.

Making a good impression at work is not always a bad thing, according to Fragale.

Showcasing your strengths, making your voice heard and appearing confident with your bosses and colleagues lets them know that "how I show up to you matters a great deal to me, and I'm going to think intentionally about how I can be my honest self, but do it in a way that is going to get me maximum credit in your eyes," she says.

You can seek status without creating a false image of yourself or trying to manipulate people's perceptions of you, Fragale adds.

"The reason people are so averse to the idea of 'I'm deliberately trying to manage my reputation' is, they falsely assume that means you've lost your authenticity in the process," she says.

'I'm an imposter'

Korn Ferry survey of roughly 400 executives.

Your own feelings of self-doubt are probably a byproduct of exploring new responsibilities and making the effort to step out of your comfort zone, Fragale says. Embracing that mindset can help you get beyond thinking "I can't,' and closer to "I'll figure out how to do it."

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