Want to be taken seriously at work? Stop doing these 10 things

We all want respect at work.

But let’s be real: many of us are our own worst enemies.

It’s not just about showing up and doing your job. It’s about how you show up.

It’s about the stupid little things we do – or don’t do – that can piss off coworkers, make bosses raise an eyebrow, or have everyone secretly giggling behind our backs.

You might be the smartest guy in the room, but if you’re guilty of these ten blunders, well, good luck getting anyone to take you seriously.

Ready to face some uncomfortable things you may be doing at work?

Let’s dive in.

1. Constantly complaining 

Everyone has bad days.

The printer jams, the coffee machine is broken, or that report you spent hours on mysteriously vanished.

Venting every once in a while is human.

But when your daily soundtrack becomes a relentless stream of whining, you’re not just annoying everyone around you—you’re also branding yourself as someone who lacks resilience.

It’s a harsh reality: nobody wants to work with (or promote) a chronic complainer.

In fact, a survey by Zippia revealed that almost 40% of people found this one of the most annoying traits for a co-worker to have. 

Instead of ranting about problems, be the guy who offers solutions.

Change your perspective, roll with the punches, and watch as your stock rises in the office.

After all, leaders are made in the face of challenges. 

2. Being too loud 

Everyone has a unique working style, but consistently being the loudest person in the room—whether it’s speaking, laughing, or just banging away at the keyboard—can be a major distraction for your colleagues.

How did this fair in the survey by Zippia? 

First.

Almost 90% of people said being too loud was a behavior they found annoying in colleagues. 

It’s not just about volume, but about awareness.

By constantly operating at a high decibel, you risk coming off as inconsiderate and oblivious to the needs of others.

Workplaces thrive on focus and collaboration, and a disruptive noise level can hamper both.

While it’s great to be passionate and energetic, always remember to strike a balance.

Being mindful of your volume not only ensures a conducive environment for everyone but also portrays you as someone who respects shared spaces and the people within them.

3. Gossiping

You could have guessed this would make the list.

We’ve all been tempted at one point or another: a whispered conversation by the water cooler, a juicy tidbit shared over lunch.

But consistently engaging in office gossip is a dangerous game.

Not only does it breed mistrust, it can also irreparably damage your professional reputation.

When you indulge in rumors and hearsay, you’re not just risking the spread of false information—you’re also branding yourself as someone who can’t be trusted.

Did this feature on the Zippia survey?

Of course, it did. More than 60% of people said this was annoying. 

Another study, conducted in 2018 backs this up; 63% of people said that gossiping is one of the worst things we can do at work. 

So, if you truly want to be taken seriously, steer clear of the gossip mill.

Focus on building genuine, transparent relationships with your colleagues.

In the end, integrity and trustworthiness will serve your career far better than any piece of juicy gossip ever could.

4. Oversharing 

This is a big one. 

In the Zippia survey, about 15% of people said this was an annoyance. 

Remember that time you told Jake from accounting about your messy breakup?

Or rambled to your boss about that wild weekend in Vegas?

Yeah, your workplace isn’t a therapy session. 

Nobody signed up for that.

Not only does oversharing come off as unprofessional, but it also muddies the waters between personal and professional boundaries.

People want to work with someone who can keep it together and know where to draw the line.

Sure, we all have our moments. 

But there’s a time and a place.

And trust me, Monday morning by the water cooler ain’t it.

5. Living on your phone 

Look, I get it.

That Instagram feed isn’t going to scroll itself.

But here’s the brutal truth: when you’re more engrossed in your phone than the meeting you’re supposed to be attending, you’re screaming to the world that you don’t give a damn.

Not about the project, not about your colleagues’ input, and certainly not about making a valuable contribution.

Every glance at your screen during work hours might as well be a neon sign above your head flashing, “I’d rather be somewhere else.”

Want respect?

Start by respecting the time and presence of those around you.

This is also backed up by research.

A survey reported on by The Ladders revealed that for almost 35% of people, hearing notifications from a coworker’s phone is one of the biggest annoyances. 

Keep the phone on silent; stash it away.

You might be surprised at what you’ve been missing.

6. Being tardy 

You might think rolling into the office 10 minutes late or pushing that deadline by just “a few more hours” isn’t a big deal.

Think again.

Constant tardiness isn’t a cute quirk—it’s a flashing red light signaling disrespect for other people’s time.

Whether it’s a meeting, a project deadline, or just the start of the workday, showing up late consistently tells everyone you’re either too disorganized or, worse, you believe your time is more valuable than theirs.

Just over 30% of people found this annoying when surveyed by Zippia. 

Want to be taken seriously?

Start by respecting the clock and the commitments you’ve made.

Being punctual might seem old-fashioned, but it’s one of the simplest ways to show professionalism and earn respect.

7. Taking feedback like a…

Feedback is a part of growth.

Yet, some people crumble, lash out, or drown in self-pity the moment they hear anything less than glowing praise.

If you’re getting defensive or making excuses every time someone offers you constructive criticism, you’re essentially putting up a neon sign that says “I’m not mature enough to handle growth.”

Embracing feedback—both the good and the challenging—shows that you’re committed to personal development and value the perspectives of others.

Remember, it’s not a personal attack; it’s an opportunity.

So, next time someone offers a suggestion or points out an area for improvement, thank them.

Your ego might take a hit, but your professional reputation will soar.

8. Making communication blunders

Clear communication is the backbone of any successful professional relationship.

Whether it’s not clarifying doubts, assuming everyone’s on the same page without checking, or simply not keeping team members in the loop, poor communication can lead to errors, misunderstandings, and missed opportunities.

If you’re leaving a trail of confusion in your wake, it’s time for a change.

Start by actively listening, asking questions, and ensuring you’re as transparent as possible in your interactions.

Being known as a clear and effective communicator can be one of the most valuable assets in your professional toolkit.

9. Underdressing

It might seem trivial, but your attire speaks volumes before you even utter a word.

25% of respondents in the survey by Zippia said they found “unprofessional appearance” to be an annoyance. 

If you’re consistently underdressed or look like you’ve just rolled out of bed, it sends a message: “I don’t care enough to make an effort.”

Now, this doesn’t mean you need to sport a three-piece suit every day, but dressing appropriately for your work environment is essential.

Align your wardrobe with the expectations of your industry and company.

Put simply: if you want to be taken seriously, dress the part.

Remember, looking good isn’t about vanity—it’s about signaling respect for yourself, your role, and the people you work with.

10. Overpromising and underdelivering

We all want to be the superhero who can do it all.

But consistently biting off more than you can chew and then failing to deliver?

That’s a credibility killer.

Making big promises might earn you momentary admiration, but when you don’t follow through, it erodes trust and paints you as unreliable.

The trick isn’t to avoid committing—it’s to be realistic and transparent about what you can and cannot do.

If you’re unsure about a deadline or a task’s feasibility, it’s okay to say so.

Better to set realistic expectations from the start than to leave colleagues or clients in the lurch.

Remember, reliability is currency in the professional world, and it’s earned one promise kept at a time.