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Whether you're at the top of your career game or just starting out - somewhere along the way you have probably asked someone older, wiser or just with more experience for some advice. Sometimes we receive advice from a mentor that becomes gospel we will pass on to others we meet - or in the case of the people on this list - advice that could have or did hurt instead of help.

Adam Grant, a psychologist and New York Times bestselling author, asked Twitter: "What's the worst career advice you've ever received?" and shared his top three worst nuggets to start it off. Turns out he's not the only one, people hopped on the thread and shared some painfully bad career tips - even Monica Lewinsky responded and we all know how that went. Scroll down to check them out and don't forget to upvote your favs!

Image credits: AdamMGrant

#1

Worst-Career-Advices

MonicaLewinsky Report

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Turnip and a Frog
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one still resonates with me. I’ve seen Monica Lewinsky’s TED and her interview with John Oliver, and especially the former one has had a powerful effect on me. I see now that how she was treated by the press, politicians, even her friend was brutal. Especially that she was in her 20’s then. Whatever you say about her, maybe it was love, perhaps infatuation, vanity trip or plain ignorance - she just did not deserve the bullying.

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Not everyone is blessed to have a mentor to give them sound career advice so below are some tips from the masters. From Forbes Agency Council members to CEOs of the biggest corporations, here are some words of wisdom they have shared over the years. The first comes from Karen Wickre, former editorial leader at Google and Twitter, who told Business Insider: "I didn't get this advice, but I learned it by doing, and now it's what I tell others: Always be building your brain trust. This is the web of contacts you can call on when you have questions or need expertise beyond yours."

#2

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janevlyang Report

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Falcon
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

As a person who works in the field where you can't drop everything when the clock hits 5 pm, I totally agree with what she says. Work reasonably, if one day you have to work until 8,take some time off the next day, that's how me and my co-worker do it and our boss understands it, it's so easy to burn out. No job is important enough to run yourself into the ground.

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It's hard not to get disheartened when someone rejects your idea. Freelance writer and New York Times bestselling author, Sara Bliss, says she received invaluable advice from Tony Freund who was a staff writer for Town & Country magazine, that has helped her defeat this mindset. "If an editor rejects an idea, do not scrap it. Instead, he suggested refining and repitching it to the same editor or trying a new one.

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#4

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AdvocatLyme Report

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Laura Zappenduster
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

How long will it take, till everyone get´s that girls and boys can do anything they want to?

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#5

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PierreHnoud Report

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Luis Milian
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

depends on the boss, but never think that a boss is going to share their wealth with you for no other reason than hard work. at the end of each day, every boss can replace you for someone else who is a "hard worker"

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You might think that showing off your mental prowess is the key to impressing everyone at your job - but sometimes acting like a know-it-all can hinder you. Said Jacob Hanson, PR with Panache! to Forbes: "Oftentimes, leaders feel that they need to be the "smartest guy or gal" in the room, and that couldn't be further from the truth. Good leaders are the smartest one in the room, great leaders surround themselves with smarter people that will challenge ideas, bring new perspectives to the table and drive innovation.

#6

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HeartandVoice Report

#7

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christineminas Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

At 26? That's infuriating. I mean, people are 30 and still in university out there. That headhunter knew no reality or was just lying.

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We've all had those days when we feel overwhelmed as if the work keeps stacking up - well Nicole Rodrigues, NRPR Group, LLC said to Forbes embrace it. "I was told by a mentor very early on that I should never complain when there’s a lot of work to do. I agree and tell my team the same thing. Be thankful there’s work to do. When something becomes easy or routine, it’s a clear sign you’re not growing."

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#8

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angela_champ Report

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Podunkus
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That is a notorious cognitive bias known as the “Sunk Cost Fallacy” exercising its powerful grip. By all means, do cut and run when the alarm bells go off in your head.

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It's great to get career advice from people you admire but in the end, you should make sure you're the one in control of your destiny. Said Gina Michnowicz, Union+Webster to Forbes: "One of my mentors always said don't let others manage your career because you will be unhappy with the results. What he meant by management is focusing on what skills and experiences you need to ultimately be in your dream job. I managed my moves carefully, making sure that I built the right skills to be a CEO. In the end, he was right and I am happy with the outcome."

#11

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AmethystMimosa Report

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Not counter-intuitive at all. I know tons of people who loved their hobbies so much they started a business. They were plenty successful, but unhappy and started to hate what they used to love. Not saying it will be that way for everyone. Maybe you will be different. Me? I learned the hard way.

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#12

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GillNurseMom Report

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Podunkus
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I’m upvoting this one just for the sheer, twisted stupidity of that advice. If you want to go to Nursing School, then make it happen.

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#13

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DushkaAmateur Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

This one really depends on the workplace. My first work environment was friendly on the outside, toxic on the inside (took me a while, to realise that, always thought the problem was me). My now workplace is really friendly and I made actual friends here, and, oh my, I can feel the difference.

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#14

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AlenaSatoshi Report

#15

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klkaye Report

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Kathy Baylis
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

That generally comes from the ones who fear new ideas, because they know they won’t be able to keep up, and will risk looking bad and losing their place as the “indispensable” person in the office who thinks the whole company will just fall apart if they’re not there. It never does, but you’ll come across a load of these people in your career.

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#16

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zoecello Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sometimes people can be so blind. Once you set a wall of should-be's in your brain, it's really hard to see.

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#17

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rebeccaskvorc Report

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Catlady6000
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Soooo, does long hair somehow affect ability? Is short hair a requirement for some obscure reason?

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#18

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KiaRichards_ Report

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E FourOFour
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For this advice it's usually aimed at managers. A lot of people have general problems with authority so if you moved up and became a manager, it's difficult to maintain the same friendship you had as coworkers. If you give your friend any kind of break or a special project that could be seen as "fun" then you are showing favoritism.

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#19

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JohnFBruno Report

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Bonnie Blue Bird
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Just because they're in the teaching profession doesn't mean they will be supportive of your dreams. You do you. To hell with anyone who says you can't be you.

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#20

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tracysreilly Report

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Analyn Lahr
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sadly, I can't afford to quit till I have another one lined up.

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#21

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RebeccaSlatkin Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ehhh.... Creepy indeed, but! If you bake and bring cookies for everyone at work, they'll like you regardless of age, gender and work position! Because cookies. ♥

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#23

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Let me see... I recall quite a few facial hairs on more than a couple of very successful people. I absolutely loathe people who let their ignorance and racism shine.

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#24

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shouldergeek Report

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Billy Beecham
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Risky? What's risky? Oh wait... I get it now. Someone explain to them that "mentor" is not a sexual thing like slapping a backside. Geniuses. I'm surrounded by brain surgeons in search of a brain to call their own. LOL. Damn straight it's hogwash!

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#26

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indysen Report

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Billy Beecham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I hear it all the time. I also see it constantly. Good for you! Another victory for critical thinking! Critical thinkers don't get Darwin Awards.

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#27

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a2kelly Report

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Billy Beecham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ahh. Good old critical thinking. I really miss the days when everyone possessed it. Did you know it's on the endangered species list? But hey, look at who we have as president!

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#28

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RaqWinchester Report

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Lizard Queen
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd like to see the ratio of men to women who have heard this advice. I'd bet more women are told this c**p.

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#29

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Jordanandre1 Report

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Daria B
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4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Ha! I've gotten the opposite career advice. I mean, "we", it was something a professor told the class. Something like "do not stay at the same workplace for 10 years / do not accept a 10 year contract - it's a waste of life, you have to gain various kinds of experience." I think, in the end, it all depends on the individual and the job(s) they do.

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#30

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Podunkus
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

If you can turn your avocation into a vocation, more power to you! Just don’t end up a 30-something living in your Mom’s basement.

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#32

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EmergMedDr Report

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Billy Beecham
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I was told my math skills were so poor I would never be able to work in computer industry. Wrong. Glad I never listened.

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#33

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DrJNicholas Report

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Marcellus the Third
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4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I read that as "don't waste your time educating... fellows, NPC's,..." which made me think "well of course not". Hm.

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#35

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JenniferRiel Report

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