Navigate workplace pitfalls before they become career setbacks
Lisa thought she had landed her dream job. A leadership role at a fast-growing tech company, a CEO with big vision, and a team ready to make things happen. But there was a problem.
“One week, we were pivoting to enterprise clients. The next, we were back to focusing on small businesses. No one could keep up, and eventually, we just stopped trying. It was exhausting,” Lisa recalls. “It got to the point where my team was waiting for the ‘real’ decision to surface before making any moves.”
Lisa had run into a human pothole—a leader so erratic that projects stalled, momentum crumbled, and the entire company operated in a constant state of whiplash. And she’s not alone. We’ve all encountered human potholes at work: the boss who overpromises and underdelivers, the micromanaging VP who slows everything to a crawl, or the colleague who deflates every brainstorm before the first idea lands. If you’re not careful, these energy drains can flatten your career progress. Here’s how to spot them—and how to navigate around them without getting stuck.
Who Qualifies as a Human Pothole?
Human potholes exist at every level of an organization. Maybe it’s the CEO whose grand vision changes with the wind. Maybe it’s the colleague who sees obstacles in every opportunity. Or maybe it’s the manager who critiques every move but offers no clear direction.
Mark, a senior manager in finance, spent years under a VP notorious for micromanaging.
“At first, I thought she was just detail-oriented,” Mark says. “But over time, I realized I wasn’t allowed to make a single decision on my own. Every email, every report—she had to approve it. Eventually, I started second-guessing everything. It wore me down. I stopped leading and just followed orders. That’s when I knew I wasn’t growing anymore. My confidence took a hit, and my career felt like it was stuck in place.”
Sometimes, as in Mark’s case, the signs are obvious—you can feel your momentum grinding to a halt. Other times, human potholes are more subtle, and if you’re not paying attention, you might not realize the damage until it’s too late. Recognizing the warning signs early is key to avoiding long-term career stagnation. Here’s what to look for.
Signs You’re Working for (or with) a Human Pothole
The Clear Signs
- They thrive on negativity. Every idea is met with a sigh. Every meeting feels like a funeral. The phrase “That won’t work” is their personal mantra.
- They are chaos in human form. Constantly shifting priorities, last-minute changes, and a never-ending stream of “urgent” tasks make it impossible to get real work done.
- They love to micromanage. No task is too small for their scrutiny. You spend more time justifying your work than actually doing it.
- They deflect responsibility. When things go wrong, they disappear. When things go right, they take the credit.
- Nothing is ever good enough. Even when the team delivers outstanding results, praise is rare—and if it comes, it’s laced with a jab. “Great quarter, but let’s see if you can do even better next time.” Or worse: “Now, if only the other divisions could get it together like you guys.”
More Nuanced Indicators
- You feel exhausted after every interaction. Even if they’re not outright toxic, something about working with them drains your energy.
- You hesitate before sharing ideas. Because, let’s be honest, what’s the point? They’ll only shoot it down.
- Your confidence is eroding. Their constant doubt and criticism make you question your abilities, even when you know you’re capable.
Lisa recognized these signs early on but didn’t know what to do. “At first, I kept trying to adapt, thinking, ‘If I just figure out their communication style, this will get better.’ But it never did. I realized I was wasting energy managing their chaos instead of doing my actual job.”
Dodging Workplace Potholes in Your Career
So what do you do when your career is being slowed down by human potholes? Here’s how to keep your momentum without getting stuck:
1. Steer Clear When You Can
If a colleague is a notorious energy drain, limit unnecessary interactions. Stay polite, professional, and as distant as possible without looking like you’re actively avoiding them (even though you totally are).
2. Set Boundaries Like a Pro
Potholes thrive on access. If they’re derailing your focus with constant complaints or last-minute chaos, set firm limits. “I’d love to help, but I have a deadline.” (Even if that deadline is “protecting my sanity.”)
Mark eventually learned this lesson. “I stopped responding to emails immediately and started setting expectations for what I would and wouldn’t do. It was scary at first, but once I made it clear that I was taking ownership of my role, my stress level dropped.”
3. Call It Out (Tactfully, of Course)
Sometimes, potholes don’t realize they’re potholes. If you have the kind of relationship where directness is an option, try something like: “I’ve noticed we often get stuck on why things won’t work. Maybe we brainstorm solutions instead?”
Lisa found this approach helped to a point. “I started reframing my CEO’s ideas as questions—‘What’s the main goal here? How does this align with last week’s plan?’—to try to create some continuity. It helped a little, but ultimately, the instability was too much.”
4. Build a Pothole-Proof Support Network
Surround yourself with people who lift you up instead of sucking you dry. When a pothole deflates your momentum, you need counterweights—colleagues who keep you inspired, laughing, and moving forward.
5. Know When It’s Time to Take Another Road
Some potholes are too big to fix. If the culture of your company is riddled with energy-draining leadership, toxic decision-making, and zero accountability, it might be time to exit the highway. ExecuNet’s expert career advisors often help professionals assess when it’s time to move on—and how to do it strategically. (Hint: Have a plan, a network, and an eye on companies that don’t run on pothole energy.)
Lisa ultimately decided to leave. “I realized that no amount of personal strategy could overcome a leader who made the entire organization feel unstable. It was the best decision I ever made.”
The Bottom Line
Human potholes are everywhere, but you don’t have to let them stall your career. Recognize them. Navigate wisely. And when necessary—find a smoother road. Your future self (and your career trajectory) will thank you.
Sources
- “5 Toxic Leadership Behaviors and How to Address Them.” (talogy.com)
- Wolor, C. W., et al. “Impact of Toxic Leadership on Employee Performance.” Health Psychology Research, 2022. (ncbi.nlm.nih.gov)
- Elliott, M. S. “Mitigating the Impact of Toxic Leadership on Employee Performance: Strategies for Organizational Success.” (markselliott.com)
