Career Advancement Mistakes to Avoid

My 7 biggest mistakes in managing my career early on were: 1. Expecting my manager, HR and/or the company to develop my career 2. Thinking that working hard alone will help me grow 3. Thinking I had to finish everything 4. Focusing only on my direct scope 5. Comparing myself to others 6. Keeping my work to myself 7. Not building a network Anyone reading this who has the same struggles, here’s my advice: 1. You own your career; take the initiative. Your manager, HR, and the broader organization are there to support you.     2. Working hard is not enough. Seek to understand which skills and competencies are required for the next level and work towards these.     3. There will always be more work than we can do. Pace yourself and focus on the few things that have the biggest impact.     4. Lean on curiosity. Ask questions to expand your understanding and take initiative on opportunities/challenges you identify, even if beyond your scope.     5. Be inspired by others, but obsess over how you can improve compared to yourself from yesterday. Everyone's journey is different.     6. Make your work visible, with a clear intention of improving it through feedback and scaling its impact.     7. It takes a village to grow. Build a network of mentors from whom you can seek guidance and sponsors to advocate on your behalf. What else do you struggle with in your career journey? I will advise as best as I can from my experience. ----- Follow me, tap the (🔔) Omar Halabieh for daily Leadership and Career posts.

Ever feel like you’re working hard but not making progress in your career? Here are 7 common mistakes (and how to move past them). These common missteps stall even the most talented professionals. Me included: ✔️ I used to settle out of fear—until I learned to negotiate (#1). ✔️ Getting too comfortable (#3) once cost me a major growth opportunity. ✔️ I said yes to everything (#6) until I finally set some boundaries. The good news is this... You can reclaim momentum and boost your impact with a few strategic shifts. 1️⃣ The Undervaluation Effect What it looks like: ❌ Settling for less out of comfort or fear ❌ Avoiding negotiation & accepting less ❌ Underestimating your impact & value Try this: ✔️ Know your worth: Research the market ✔️ Quantify impact: Track achievements ✔️ Negotiate often: Advocate for value 2️⃣ The Missed Opportunity What it looks like: ❌ Hesitating to take initiative ❌ Letting overthinking stall progress ❌ Waiting & staying passive Try this: ✔️Step up early: Act before perfection ✔️Trust abilities: Progress with confidence ✔️Take action: Seek the right opportunities 3️⃣ The Comfort Zone Trap What it looks like: ❌ Clinging to familiarity & missing growth ❌ Overstaying due to fear of change ❌ Stalling progress & preventing change Try this: ✔️ Embrace challenges: Seek growth ✔️ Take calculated risks: Navigate change ✔️ Drive progress: Be open to new ideas 4️⃣ The Clarity Deficit What it looks like: ❌ Not verbalizing expectations & issues ❌ Avoiding difficult conversations ❌ Expecting others to guess & misaligning Try this: ✔️ Be clear & direct: Communicate early ✔️ Don’t wait: Address issues upfront ✔️ Clarify needs: Avoid disconnect & confusion 5️⃣ The Time Sink What it looks like: ❌ Building value without visibility ❌ Spending energy on low-impact tasks ❌ Fixing problems that aren’t yours Try this: ✔️ Create visibility: Share wins with others ✔️ Prioritize impact: Focus on what matters ✔️ Support solutions: Empower without enabling 6️⃣ The Yes Dilemma What it looks like: ❌ Overcommitting & losing focus ❌ Sacrificing priorities to help others ❌ Spreading too thin & missing key goals Try this: ✔️ Set boundaries: Prioritize what matters ✔️ Say no when necessary: Protect time ✔️ Be selective: Align commitments with goals 7️⃣ The Opportunity Gap What it looks like: ❌ Missing openings & opportunities ❌ Building connections when necessary ❌ Neglecting industry trends Try this: ✔️ Stay informed: Research job markets ✔️ Network proactively: Connect often ✔️ Track shifts: Stay updated on industry changes Remember, you’re in control—steer clear of these pitfalls and watch your growth accelerate. What's worked for you? Share in the comments below! 👇 *** ♻️ Re-post or share so others can lead more effectively 🔔 Turn on notifications for my latest posts 🤓 Follow me at Scott J. Allen, Ph.D. for daily content on leadership 📌 Design by Bela Jevtovic

Clinical research careers don’t stall because of lack of experience. They stall because of mistakes professionals don’t even know they’re making. I’ve coached hundreds of CR professionals—from site staff to senior ops leaders. And the same 7 pitfalls show up again and again. If your career feels stuck or you’re not getting callbacks… this is probably why: ⸻ 1. Ignoring Networking ❌ Relying on job boards ✅ Start showing up, speaking up, and building real relationships in the industry 2. Not Upskilling ❌ Clinging to outdated SOPs ✅ Learn GCP updates, AI in trials, decentralized methods—yesterday 3. Staying in the Same Role Too Long ❌ Waiting for promotions that never come ✅ Go after new responsibilities or certifications—don’t wait to be picked 4. Overlooking Soft Skills ❌ Thinking technical skills are enough ✅ Master communication, influence, and problem-solving—they’ll pay off faster 5. Ignoring Job Market Trends ❌ Applying to roles that barely exist anymore ✅ Know where the industry is headed before you hit “apply” 6. Failing to Highlight Transferable Skills ❌ Listing tasks, not impact ✅ Showcase leadership, cross-functional wins, and adaptability 7. Not Seeking Mentorship ❌ Trying to figure it out alone ✅ Find someone who’s been there—and who can show you a shortcut ⸻ Here’s the truth: The people getting ahead aren’t always the most qualified. They’re the most strategic. So… Which of these mistakes have you seen most often? Drop a number below—let’s talk about how to fix it. And if you’re tired of guessing your way through this industry… DM me “Avoid the 7” and I’ll schedule a free 15mins to show you how to break through your next ceiling—fast.

No one expects you to be perfect at work. But some habits might be blocking your next promotion. After coaching 100s of leaders through 6-figure career  moves, I've noticed something. The most talented people often make the same mistakes  without knowing it. Here are 9 career mistakes that keep high achievers stuck: ❌ Solving every problem that crosses your desk ❌ Perfectionism disguised as "high standards" ❌ Believing hard work alone gets promoted ❌ Waiting for the "perfect" opportunity ❌ Falling for the "we're a family" myth ❌ Speaking up too much in meetings ❌ Believing loyalty will be rewarded ❌ Avoiding "political" relationships ❌ Making yourself irreplaceable The good news? Each mistake has a simple fix that can speed up  your career: ✅ Ask "Is this my job?" before saying yes ✅ Stay loyal to your own growth and value ✅ Share one or two smart ideas per meeting ✅ Enjoy good culture but protect yourself too ✅ Focus on big wins your company cares about ✅ Build real relationships with people at all levels ✅ Write down how you do things and teach others ✅ Take the pretty good job instead of waiting forever ✅ Get things done at 90% instead of waiting for 100% Small changes make big differences. The leaders who move up fastest understand: Success isn't about being perfect. It's about knowing which habits help you  and which hold you back. Your next promotion might be one small change away. Which mistake hits closest to home for you? Reshare ♻️ to help someone in your network. And give me a follow for more posts like this.