4 Character Traits That Are Denying You A Promotion (No 1 Will Surprise You!)

By Selipha Kihagi,

Every employee in Nigeria wants to get ahead in their career, to move up the ladder in their jobs and become CEO one day. For this to happen you have to be promoted from one level to the next and this will not only depend on your job performance, but also your personality.

Your personality traits are just as likely to eliminate you from opportunities of advancement as they are to help you, says Tim Fancher in his book, “Why Haven’t I Been promoted.”

These Character Traits May be the reason you didn’t get promoted

1. You are too Nice
Being nice or agreeable will surely get you through the interview stage, and you might be given responsibility to manage small teams, but when it comes to the big promotions, you just might not get it.

A higher position comes with tough decisions and if your interactions in the office translate to you being too flexible or too forgiving, then that promotion remains a dream.

2. You are always complaining
This character trait of constant complaining can go unnoticed until one of your co-workers points it out. It might be that you find the office too dull or too bright, your food too hot and your water not cold enough.

Whichever it is, you won’t let the people around you hear the end of it. This might ruin any chances you have of a promotion.

3. You lack authority when you speak
You are always expressing an idea like a question. It might not be your intention but every time you speak at the office, you always end it with a high pitch making it appear as if you are asking a question.

The idea you have may be a good one and may even be taken up for a project, but how you put it across during a meeting will make your boss rethink that promotion.

4. You are not organized
Some people tend to believe that as long as their work is done well and in time they don’t have to worry about how their desk looks. How your desk looks matters because if documents are all over instead of being neatly arranged, it is clear you lack organizational skills.

If you are not sure you have these traits, you can always do a self evaluation.