^{Photo: Men's Journal}

The Career-Killing Trait No One Talks About

Donna Morris, executive vice president and chief people officer at Walmart since 2020, managing the experience of over 2.1 million employees, identifies one critical behavior that can hold employees back: being a “Debbie Downer.” Drawing from 17 years of leadership experience at Adobe and Walmart, Morris explains that this attitude sends a clear warning sign to managers and peers alike.

“Nobody wants to hire someone who’s constantly negative,” Morris told CNBC Make It. “These are people who only bring problems, never solutions. I prefer employees who not only identify challenges but also offer ideas on how to fix them.”

Why Negativity Blocks Career Advancement

A “Debbie Downer” often acts as a naysayer, frequently shooting down ideas and resisting new initiatives. This toxic outlook not only alienates colleagues but also erodes trust from supervisors, limiting opportunities for leadership roles or new projects.

Harvard-trained neuroscientist Juliette Han adds, “These individuals often discourage networking and collaboration because they want to keep influence limited. Their lack of support restricts others’ growth as well.”

It’s important to clarify that Morris doesn’t advocate for blind optimism or ignoring real issues. “Pretending everything’s fine isn’t productive,” she says. But an ongoing negative mindset could signal a mismatch between the employee and their current role or company culture.

How to Stand Out and Get Ahead

According to Morris, the most successful employees share a few key attributes:

• Consistent Delivery: Meeting deadlines and exceeding expectations builds credibility. “It’s better to deliver early and go beyond what’s asked,” Morris says.
• Proactive Attitude: Raising your hand for extra work and approaching problems with potential solutions demonstrates leadership potential.
• Helpfulness: Volunteering to mentor new team members or pitching solutions without being asked shows initiative and teamwork.

Michael Ramlett, CEO of Morning Consult, highlights “radical intellectual curiosity” as a major plus. Researching new technologies like AI tools or competitor software and sharing insights with management can put employees on the fast track.

Mentoring colleagues and sharing knowledge further distinguishes you. “People who actively help others are total green flags,” Morris concludes.

Final Thoughts

If you want to avoid being labeled the employee no one wants to hire, focus on cultivating positivity balanced with realism, taking initiative, and supporting your team. These behaviors not only improve workplace morale but also pave the way for career advancement in today’s competitive corporate environment.

‍