Behaviours that Make You Appear Unprofessional in the Workplace

We all want to be seen as professionals in the workplace, right?

Maintaining a professional image is very important, but sometimes, certain behaviours can sneak up on us to tarnish our reputation without us even realizing it. Let’s have a close look at some key behaviours that scream "unprofessional" and what you can do to avoid them.

Let's begin by talking about being late to work. Yes, about not being punctual to work or work-related events. Tardiness is one of the biggest no-nos in any work environment. When you consistently show up late, it sends a message that you don't value other people's time or the job itself. It can disrupt meetings, delay projects, and frustrate your colleagues. Your teammates might have to pick up your slack or wait for you to get started, which can breed resentment. It makes you seem unreliable to your managers, which could impact your chances of getting promotions or important projects. To combat this, try planning by setting multiple alarms and planning your route to work to account for potential delays. And if you know you'll be late, let your team know as soon as possible.

Poor communication is another behaviour that can hinder your professional image. It sometimes comes in the form of unclear emails, not responding to messages, or avoiding face-to-face conversations. In whatever form you display yours, poor communication can be a major roadblock in a professional setting. Miscommunications can lead to mistakes, missed deadlines, and general confusion. Additionally, poor communication can strain relationships with colleagues and clients, making collaboration more difficult. To improve your communication skills, make sure your messages are concise and to the point, respond to emails and messages on time, and be open to discussions when needed.

Everyone has bad days, but consistently bringing a negative attitude to work can be contagious and demoralizing for the whole team. A negative vibe can lower the overall morale, making the workplace less enjoyable for everyone, and it can slow down progress and diminish the team's overall productivity. To maintain a positive attitude, focus on the positives and practice gratitude. If you're consistently feeling negative, consider talking to a professional to address underlying issues. Perhaps you need to see a coach, counsellor or therapist as this negative attitude might be coming from a place of unresolved trauma. If you'd like to speak with a coach, book a session here . Maybe you didn't know this: I am a trained life coach and I've worked with some people to help them get clarity, overcome limitations, and deal with traumas. I've also had to deal with my traumas, so I know what it feels like.

Dodging responsibility or blaming others for your mistakes is a sure way to come off as unprofessional. It erodes trust among team members and can damage your credibility. It also creates a toxic environment where people are more focused on avoiding blame than working together. Instead, own up to your mistakes and work on fixing them. Take responsibility for your tasks and follow through on your commitments.

Finally, using your phone or social media excessively during work hours can be distracting and give the impression that you're not committed to your job. It can be distracting for you and your colleagues, reducing overall productivity, and it can make you seem disengaged and uninterested in your work. To avoid this, set boundaries by limiting personal phone use and social media during work hours, and use technology to aid your productivity, not hinder it.

As I wrap this up, I would like to emphasize that being aware of these unprofessional behaviours and actively working to avoid them can make a huge difference in how you're perceived at work. Make it a point to show up on time, communicate clearly, maintain a positive attitude, take accountability, and use technology appropriately. This way, you'll improve your professional image and also contribute to a more positive and productive work environment for everyone.

I hope this helps. What else would you want to add to this? What other things make people appear unprofessional in the workplace?

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