There are any number of reasons a career ascent can be derailed. David Dotlich and Peter Cairo have authored "Why CEO’s Fail: The 11 Behaviors That Can Derail Your Climb to the Top–and How to Manage Them." Their findings could apply to nearly anyone. Drawing heavily from research by psychologist Dr. Robert Hogan, they also tap their own knowledge as executive coaches.
Take a look at the list of the "11 derailers most common among executives" … and see if you can avoid checking off any of them:
1. Arrogance—they think that they are right, and everyone else is wrong.
2. Melodrama—they need to be the center of attention.
3. Volatility—they are subject to mood swings.
4. Excessive Caution—they are afraid to make decisions.
5. Habitual Distrust—they focus on the negatives.
6. Aloofness—they are disengaged and disconnected.
7. Mischievousness—they believe the rules are made to be broken.
8. Eccentricity—they try to be different just for the sake of it.
9. Passive Resistance—what they say is not what they really believe.
10. Perfectionism—they get the little things right and the big things wrong.
11. Eagerness to Please—they try to win the popularity of others.
(from Career Masters Institute newsletter, courtesy of Jerry Haynesworth)
– Jan Melnik, MRW, CCM, CPRW, President, Absolute Advantage