It’s really amazing how many people are willing to hand out unsolicited life advice, especially when it comes to your career. Sometimes it makes sense, but more often then not you’re just stuck listening to someone who has never actually worked or succeeded in the area but are so sure they magically hold the answers.
Personally, the worst piece of advice came from a past boss who suggested that the only way to successfully run a business was to make employees afraid of you. The worst part was that as second-in-command at this small business, she expected me to follow this little nugget. She owned a very small retail store ffs. I definitely did not take this on board, and watching her chase off employee after employee within weeks of their initial employment, I’d say ignoring her was the most professional thing I’ve ever done.
I asked around to see what gems other people (who shall remain nameless) have been handed down from ‘those who know’.
An Artist Manager still in the music industry was given this super gem by a former boss:
“A boss (male) once was once told me (female) to go and sleep with a prominent booking agent to book a gig for one of the acts I was managing. I reminded him he hired me for my professional merrits, and those are the exact merits I would be using to get the shows. And that is exactly how I booked a national tour for that artist, with my professional merits.“
This was NOT back in the 60s btw, this was in the last few years. Ew.
The next lot of advice was passed on to someone who is now an Advertising & Partnerships Manager in media. How strange that her first job didn’t set her career course:
“When I was 14 I was doing the kids parties at Hungry Jacks as my first job. I used to do three parties back to back with groups of 20 boys and me dressed as a pirate or a fairy. My male boss at the time told me to look happier while doing it because this job was going to ‘make or break my career’. Looking back now it was the worst job I ever had.“
Proving that a degree is not the only way to be a success, this current Office Manager decided to pull away from he crowd:
“‘Having a university degree is the only way to get anywhere in life.’ I think continued learning is still really important for personal growth and also on a professional level. But I just think there are plenty of other options besides a uni degree.“
A current Senior Editor in the media did not get there by listening to this bad advice:
“I think the worst career advice I’ve ever received was to “only look out for number one”. What they meant was to stay focused on your own career rather than get bogged down in loyalty to colleagues and I do believe that to some extent, but I’ve seen plenty of colleagues in my time who use the ‘step on whoever you need to in order to make it to the top’ mentality for their career trajectory, and it straight up sucks. Not only does it make you the worst person ever, you never know who you’ll cross paths with again in any industry – so making enemies of people who are your peers could see you burning some important bridges you may need in the future.“
“Work negotiations are best made on the dance floor.“
