12 Personality Traits That are Holding You Back from Success at Work

Career Advice / December 6, 2018

So you have all the hard skills, you’ve got some experience and you like your team and your work. So what’s holding you back? You haven’t been offered a promotion as a lead or supervisor and you’re wondering why. It’s possible that some of your personality traits are getting in the way.

You don’t have to change who you are to get ahead. You may need to do some tweaking and consider a new approach to how you operate at work. Some excellent traits can get out of hand when taken a little too far.

Here are some examples to watch for:

1. Being a perfectionist: It’s good to have the will to do an “over-the-top” great job and get every detail right. However, in a fast-paced hospitality job, there isn’t always time. Sometimes, you have to be happy with “good enough” in order to get everything done on time. Consider the greater good and rein in the obsessive need to be perfect.

2. Being too agreeable: In an effort to get along and not rock the boat, some people are unwilling to offer their own suggestions and just go along with whatever is happening. It’s one thing to allow others to shine in the spotlight, but don’t let the stronger members of your team step all over your ideas. You may not be getting the credit you deserve and your contributions are not being noticed by the boss.

3. Being too assertive: This is a great quality for leadership in the team, but when overdone, it can have dire consequences.  You may be the person who has tons of ideas and is so enthusiastic in sharing them, that others never have a chance. You just jump in and take over. You may need to appreciate the skills and experience that surround you and remember to step back a bit.

4. Being too focused: Are you so focused on getting your own work done that you never see what else needs to be done or who may need some help? Being in your own head can make you seem aloof and unfriendly. Remember to build some relationships and have a little fun with your team.

5. Being too social: Hospitality is all about people skills and being friendly is part of the job. However, if you’re not getting your work done because you’re making the rounds, chatting up all your colleagues, you’re not really being productive in a way that management rewards. Dial it back a bit and be sure you’re making a difference in the bottom line.

6. Being too competitive: Everyone loves a winner. But are you so focused on winning that you’re willing to break the rules or step on your co-workers, getting so caught up in it that you leave a wake of destruction behind you? Do you need to be pitted against someone to be truly motivated?  Think about it.

7. Being too committed to the status quo: Some people are unwilling to try new things and see if there’s another, better way to get things done. The hospitality business is constantly evolving and no two days are alike.  You must be able to adapt when unexpected things happen and thrive in an unfamiliar environment. Be creative.

8. Being too trusting: You seem to believe everything you’re told and don’t spend time considering alternatives. You don’t want to be the person who questions everything and is too skeptical, but you need to be sure you understand the situation you’re facing and can think on your feet. Managers are looking to promote someone who can handle change effectively.

9. Being too affected by stress: In an effort to do your best in an industry that throws you a curveball every day, you have to be able to handle the stress. If it’s affecting your health or keeping you from thinking clearly, you have to get a grip when under pressure. You can’t be on the edge of snapping when unexpected events come up.

10. Being too analytical: Sometimes you don’t have time to work on all the numbers and consider all the options. If you become paralyzed by overthinking, you’ll never make anything happen, which will kill your chances at a promotion.

11. Being a people-pleaser:  While most successful hospitality workers love working with people, you have to know where to draw the line. You want to satisfy your guests and make them happy, but not at the expense of the hotel’s overall success. Understand the big picture and what the limits are.

12. Overworking: The hospitality industry requires working non-standard hours, weekends, holidays, and extra shifts. However, if you’re always willing to take another shift, work back-to-backs, and are not taking care of yourself, you’re likely to burn out. You can’t do your best work and be attentive to guests when you’re exhausted. In an effort to impress the boss with your work ethic, you may be sabotaging your advancement with sub-standard performance.

There’s a balance here between many of these seemingly good traits and taking them to an extreme that will hurt your chances for success. You’ve heard the expression “everything in moderation?”  That doesn’t just apply to your diet. Remember to check in with yourself from time to time or you’ll run the risk of undermining your goals and delaying your chances for advancement.