Should you have a workplace non-negotiable list in place? Why compromising on certain aspects of your job can hurt your career
- From becoming a subject matter expert to working in a more collaborative environment, there are certain things you shouldn’t compromise on
- According to various government reports, not availing of upskilling opportunities has an impact on economic prosperity
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Whether you’re the CEO or just starting out in your career, having a set of workplace non-negotiables can be a highly effective way to set out the blueprint for your long term career goals and aspirations.
Essentially the standards by which you hold yourself (and your employer) accountable, workplace non-negotiables can range from your attitude to getting the job done to the company values you aren’t willing to compromise on.
That said, being flexible and agile enough to adapt to different situations and outcomes is crucial so non-negotiables shouldn’t be confused with stubbornness or insubordination.
Below we’re detailing some of the most beneficial non-negotiables to add to your list.
From becoming a subject matter expert to working in a more collaborative environment, there are certain things you shouldn’t compromise on
Be a subject matter expert
According to different reports commissioned by the UK government, including the Levelling Up the United Kingdom white paper and the Department of Education’s Skills for Jobs policy paper, the skills gap is getting in the way of economic prosperity across all sectors.
This is why getting as much education and experience in your field as possible—whether through on-the-job training or learning and development opportunities—is essential.
Similarly, as your career progresses, it’s also important to keep learning so you can stay on top of the latest developments, technical advancements and tools that can make you better at your job.
Push boundaries
No, this doesn’t mean you should refuse to do your work or flout your company’s hybrid work policy by telling your boss you’re not coming into the office because you’d rather work from home.
Pushing boundaries means looking for new and innovating ways to do things. This could be as simple as reviewing systems that have always been in place to see if they can be improved. Or you could share your ideas with senior management in a formal way, asking for more responsibility or the opportunity to work on a new project.
Constantly evolve through passion and creativity
Similarly, constantly evolving through passion and creativity is an essential component of career progression, and any job that stifles your passion or your creativity probably isn’t the right job for you.
This is especially relevant in light of the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs report, which highlights creative thinking as one of the most important soft skills of the future.
Constantly evolving through passion and creativity is an essential component of career progression, and any job that stifles your passion or your creativity probably isn’t the right job for you
Be confident and competent
Self-confidence is not only important in terms of speaking up in meetings or giving presentations to large groups of people.
Confidence can also have a knock-on effect on your overall performance in work and how empowered you feel to express your thoughts, make suggestions and reach your full potential.
However, confidence should never be fuelled by ego. Instead, let your hard work and competence inform your confidence and your professional development.
Vibrant collaboration is key
It might seem cliched but teamwork truly makes the dream work, and working in an environment that fosters a sense of teamwork and collaboration will not only allow you to forge strong professional bonds with your co-workers.
It will help you gain valuable experience and insights, tackle problems or challenges in a cohesive manner and also divide responsibilities so that everyone can play to their strengths to get the job done in the best and more efficient way possible.
It might seem cliched but teamwork truly makes the dream work
No excuses
While it’s easy to blame your boss or the current economic climate for your lack of career progression, your professional success is most often in your own hands.
If your current role isn’t paying you in line with industry standards or you’ve stopped learning and growing but know there isn’t anywhere for you to progress within the company, it could be time to start thinking about looking for a new job.
