35 things you shouldn’t do if you want to become the CEO

As some of you might know, in addition to the work I do with students, young adults and parents, I also work a day job as a project engineer.

I’ve come to realize that there are many factors involved in getting to the top of the corporate ladder.

It’s a long, complex journey!

I know many people who want to become the CEO one day, but I’ve seen the things they sometimes do that will likely prevent them from reaching that goal.

I’m writing this article from the perspective of someone who’s a keen observer of what successful people do and don’t do.

Is your ladder leaning against the right wall?

I firmly believe that getting to the top of the corporate ladder won’t make you fulfilled, if that ladder is leaning against the wrong wall.

In order to ensure that your ladder is leaning against the correct wall, you’ll need to determine your purpose and motivation for climbing the ladder in the first place.

It’s crucial to ask yourself “Deep down, why do I want to get to the top?” before you ask yourself “What techniques should I use in order to get to the top as quickly as possible?”

If you’re sure that you want to reach the top and become the CEO, there are things that you should never do.

Based on my observations and reflections, I’ve come up with 35 of them. Avoid these at all costs, even if all you want is to be a better worker!

1. Refuse to learn any new skills.

2. Complain about anything and everything.

3. Gossip about your colleagues.

4. Behave as if your company owes you a living.

5. Spend most of your time at work on Facebook and YouTube.

6. Don’t give your boss regular updates.

7. Don’t set daily goals and targets.

8. Be disorganized.

9. Try to change the culture at work without first understanding the culture deeply.

10. Continually ask yourself “What can I get?” instead of “What can I give?”

11. Be late to work and to meetings.

12. Don’t reply to emails in a timely manner (especially ones from your boss).

13. Criticize your colleagues in public.

14. Don’t periodically reflect on how you can do things better.

15. Don’t show basic courtesy in your emails, over the phone, and in person.

16. Don’t proofread your emails before sending them.

17. Don’t set career goals.

18. Refuse to ask for feedback from your boss and your colleagues.

19. Don’t read any books.

20. Never say “thank you” to anyone.

21. Go to your boss with questions, instead of options and recommendations.

22. Talk bad about your boss to other people.

23. Socialize when you should be doing work.

24. Say “no” to every opportunity to give a presentation or a speech.

25. Talk as if you know it all.

26. Try to use power that you don’t have.

27. Refuse to perform a single task that’s outside of your official job description.

28. Spend most of your time on urgent tasks that aren’t actually important.

29. Start working on a project without first coming up with a plan.

30. Continually demand more pay and more benefits.

31. Never apologize, even when you’re in the wrong.

32. When things don’t go according to plan, come up with a whole list of reasons why it’s not your fault.

33. Delegate tasks to your peers without first asking them if they’re willing to help.

34. Annoy your boss by asking him or her questions that can be easily found on the Internet.

35. Frequently apply for leave at the very last minute without consulting your other team members.

Your career goals and aspirations should consist of much more than becoming the CEO. But if you eventually want to become the CEO, that’s not going to happen if you do the 35 things listed above.

If you avoid doing those 35 things, you’re sure to become a much happier and productive worker too!

Daniel Wong is a learning and personal development expert, as well as a certified youth counselor. A sought-after speaker and coach, he is also the best-selling author of "The Happy Student: 5 Steps to Academic Fulfillment and Success". He offers programmes to help students attain exam excellence while also finding happiness and fulfillment, and to empower parents to motivate their unmotivated teenagers. He writes regularly at www.daniel-wong.com. Download his FREE e-books, "The Unhappiness Manifesto: Do You Make These 150 Mistakes In The Pursuit Of Happiness?" and "Singapore Scholarship Guide: The $500,000 Decision". The views expressed are his own.