We often think we have succeeded for one reason, when in fact our success is due to entirely different reasons. And therein lies the danger: success can be short-lived if we do not understand the reasons behind our success. These reasons can change over time, especially as we evolve in our careers.

Sometimes, when one hits a career plateau, it is a warning sign. In this article, I warn you about a less frequent cause of career stagnation that is unfortunately becoming increasingly common: burn-out.

In the latest in a series of articles on career stagnation, this week I focus on the key ingredient for career advancement: motivation. Without it, it can be a challenge to stay in your current role, and nearly impossible to progress.

Although nearly everyone experiences some type of stagnation in their career at some point, it can feel particularly challenging for professionals who have experienced a rapid progression at the outset of their career.

Fear of judgment is both a cause and symptom of a lack of self-confidence. In this article, which is part of a series on self-confidence, I explore the roots and impact of this fear before showing an effective way to start letting go of it.

As paradoxical as it might sound — particularly given the prevalence of myths of the “self-made” professional — there are several reasons why a request for help is actually a sign of strength.

Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck’s work on mindset provides important insights on how our understanding of the nature of talent and skill impacts our level of self-confidence.

The problem of self-doubt is complex, and the root cause is different for everyone; for that reason, I shall come back to this theme in the future. But first, I take stock of the cost of all of this self-doubt.

The story of Kati Karikó, the primary scientist behind the mRNA vaccines that are helping to turn the tide on the Covid pandemic, demonstrates that it is possible to have a fulfilling career and a good quality of life: in fact, both are made up of the same ingredients.

When people find that their work is meaningful, their performance increases by 33%. Think about it this way: if our work is in line with our values, that’s like having more than an extra day and a half each work week.

It is easy to convince yourself that you work as efficiently as possible, particularly if you have been doing your job for some time. Falling victim to this sort of complacency costs you needless time and energy.

Micromanagement is one of the top management gripes in all industries. Most, if not all, of us, have had the misfortune of a micromanaging boss. How do you put an end to it?