I’ve been in the workforce for 50 years. Here are the 5 unforced errors I see every young pro make.
You’re talented and driven. Don’t let these simple, avoidable mistakes sabotage your career before it even takes off.
I remember my first big IT job in the civil service like it was yesterday. I could write code in my sleep and thought that was my golden ticket.
I spent a month building a data processing script that was, if I do say so myself, a work of art. On presentation day, I walked into a room of senior managers and explained the technical elegance of my solution.
I was met with blank stares. My boss’s boss finally piped up, “Son, what does this actually do for us?”
I had completely missed the point. I had the skills, but I didn’t have the savvy.
That’s the thing they don’t teach you in college. You graduate with the ‘what’ — the accounting principles, the engineering formulas, the marketing frameworks.
But nobody teaches you the ‘how’ — how to navigate the messy, unwritten, and deeply human rules of the workplace.
It’s like being a brilliant pilot who can fly a 747 through a hurricane but doesn’t know the rules of the airport. You’re not going anywhere.
After 10 years in the military, another 10 in government service, and nearly 30 running my own tech company, I’ve seen generations of ambitious young professionals make the same handful of unforced errors.
You’re smart. You’re capable. Let me give you the cheat codes so you can sidestep the traps that snare so many others.
You graduate with the skills to do the job, but no one teaches you the rules of the game. In the real world, your talent isn’t enough. Your career will be defined by your ability to navigate the unwritten rules of communication, feedback, and office dynamics.
This is the guide I wish I had when I was 25. For a playbook that distills 50 years of experience into the practical, actionable advice you need, check out The “First Five Years” Career Playbook.
Mistake 1: You treat feedback like a personal attack
What it looks like: Your manager pulls you aside and says, “On the next client report, let’s try to be more concise.” Your brain instantly short-circuits.
You jump in with, “Well, the reason I included all that detail was because last time you said…” You’re not listening; you’re building a legal defense for your actions.
Why it’s a career killer: When you get defensive, you send a clear signal: “I am not coachable.” People who give feedback are taking a risk. If you make it a painful experience, they’ll simply stop.
And the person who gets no feedback is the person who stops growing.
The fix (your new playbook):
- Shut up and listen. Seriously. Bite your tongue and just let them finish.
- Ask clarifying questions. This shows you’re engaged, not defensive. “That’s helpful, thank you. Could you show me an example of a report you think nails the level of detail?”
- Say the magic words: “Thank you for the feedback. I’ll work on that.” That’s it. You don’t have to agree with it, but you have to accept it gracefully.
If this one stings a little, you’re not alone. It’s a tough skill, which is why I created a short “How to Take Feedback” Workbook to help you build the muscle.
Mistake 2: You expect your manager to be a mind reader
What it looks like: You finish a project, email it over, and then… you wait. You assume your boss knows you’re done, knows your workload is now lighter, and will magically appear with your next assignment.
You’re a silent cog in a machine that runs on communication.
Why it’s a career killer: Your boss is juggling a dozen priorities. Your silence isn’t interpreted as quiet competence; it’s interpreted as you having nothing to do.
You become invisible, and invisible people don’t get the cool projects or the promotions.
The fix (your new playbook):
- Learn to “manage up.” This isn’t about being a suck-up. It’s about being a proactive partner. You are the CEO of your own career, and your manager is your most important client.
- Send a simple, proactive update. “Hi [Manager’s Name], just letting you know that Project X is complete and in your inbox. My plate is looking clear for the afternoon. Is there anything I can jump on to help with Priority Y?”
- Ask this powerful question once a week: “What does a ‘win’ look like for you this week, and how can I contribute to it?”
This is the single most important skill for getting ahead, and it’s a game-changer. For a deeper dive, I built the “Managing Up” Masterclass with scripts and frameworks.
Mistake 3: Your digital communication is sloppy
What it looks like: Emails with subject lines like “Update” or, worse, no subject at all. You write long, rambling paragraphs with no clear call to action. Your tone is so casual it sounds like a text to a friend.
Why it’s a career killer: In a world of remote and hybrid work, your writing is your reputation. A sloppy email suggests sloppy thinking. It creates work for the reader, and nobody has time for that.
You want to be known as the person whose emails are a pleasure to open, not a chore to decipher.
The fix (your new playbook):
- The subject line is your headline. Make it clear, specific, and searchable. “Project Alpha: Draft Report for Review by EOD Tuesday.”
- State your purpose in the first sentence. “I’m writing to get your approval on the attached proposal.”
- One email, one purpose. If you need to discuss three separate topics, a quick 10-minute call is often more efficient.
This is an easy fix that pays huge dividends. If you want to master the art of the written word at work, the “The Unspoken Rules of Professional Email” guide is your best friend.
Mistake 4: You ignore the game behind the game
What it looks like: You think the office is a pure meritocracy where only the quality of your work matters. You complain about a coworker to the wrong person. You mistake the org chart for the real map of power.
Why it’s a career killer: Every organization has a political landscape. Ignoring it is like trying to cross a minefield blindfolded. Your technical skills can be world-class, but if people see you as naive, negative, or untrustworthy, your career will stall.
The fix (your new playbook):
- Be an anthropologist for six months. Just observe. Who do people listen to in meetings, regardless of their title? Who does the boss trust? Who is the go-to person for solving tricky problems?
- Be Switzerland. Stay friendly with everyone but remain neutral in office conflicts. Don’t gossip. The temporary bond you feel from sharing a complaint isn’t worth the long-term damage to your reputation.
Mistake 5: You believe your degree means you’re done with “grunt work”
What it looks like: A subtle (or not-so-subtle) vibe that you’re “above” scheduling meetings, taking notes, or organizing the shared drive.
You have a degree in finance, so why are you being asked to format a PowerPoint deck?
Why it’s a career killer: It screams entitlement. The truth is, your degree got you in the door. Your willingness to do whatever it takes to help the team succeed is what will get you promoted.
The most senior people I know are the ones who are quickest to roll up their sleeves and do the unglamorous work when needed.
The fix (your new playbook):
- Reframe it. It’s not “grunt work,” it’s “proving ground work.” By doing the small, necessary tasks with a great attitude, you prove you’re reliable. You build trust.
- Master the small things. The person who takes the best meeting notes and sends out a clear summary with action items becomes indispensable. Trust is built in the small moments.
A great career isn’t just about what you do; it’s about the dumb things you don’t do. To make sure these unforced errors don’t derail your career, I’ve created a powerful, FREE one-page checklist: Don’t Screw This Up.
Your career launchpad: from avoiding mistakes to building a reputation
A great career isn’t just about the brilliant things you do; it’s about the dumb things you don’t do. Avoiding these five unforced errors is the foundation upon which you’ll build everything else.
I’ve seen these mistakes derail too many bright careers. To help you keep them top of mind, I’ve created a simple one-page checklist for you to download: 5 Career-Killing Mistakes to Avoid in Your First Job.
Pin it to your wall. It’s a powerful, free reminder.
And if you’re ready to move beyond just avoiding mistakes and want the full playbook for building an incredible career, I’ve put my 50 years of experience into a few comprehensive guides.
From the “First Five Years” Career Playbook to the “Managing Up” Masterclass, these are the lessons I wish someone had given me when I was 25.
You have the talent. You have the drive. Now you have some of the rules. Go build something amazing.
Created with the assistance of AI Tools
