Overcoming workplace challenges

Overcoming workplace challenges
SEEK content teamupdated on 20 July, 2024
Share

Over the course of your career, you’ll come up against a number of different workplace challenges. These types of hurdles can impact your morale and productivity, so it’s important to have strategies in place to help you confidently overcome various challenges at work.

Addressing these challenges constructively can help you grow professionally and can also help build a more positive workplace culture. Challenges also often present the chance to develop important soft skills and technical abilities.

In this article, we look at the different types of challenges at work and some tips on how to overcome them.

Common challenges at work    

Every industry, workplace, and role is different, each with its own unique issues and obstacles. Here are some of the most common workplace challenges with examples of how they might look.

Difficult colleagues  

You might find yourself working with a difficult colleague whose behaviour, attitude or work habits create challenges for you and others in the workplace. For example, micromanagers, passive-aggressive coworkers, or people who don't do their fair share.

If you encounter a difficult teammate, there are a few steps you can take to deal with the situation: 

1. Approach the situation professionally and with a level head

2. Communicate the issue with your colleague clearly and try to understand where they are coming from. 

3. Work to find compromise

4. If their conduct is impacting your work or wellbeing, seek advice and support from someone higher up, like HR or your supervisor.

Ineffective communication  

One of the most common workplace challenges is poor communication between coworkers. A lack of clear communication can quickly lead to big problems, like misunderstandings that result in delays, bad performance or even injuries. 

If you’re struggling with communication at work, there are a few strategies you can use. Start by practising active listening skills to ensure you understand people clearly. Ask questions to clarify any confusion you have. It can also be useful to ask for feedback about your own communication so you can improve your style and delivery. Ask for clarification by email or message, to confirm and get a written record of what was said.

Unmanageable workload  

Tight deadlines, unclear expectations and a lack of resources are common causes of workload challenges. While it’s normal to experience busy periods at work, dealing with a challenging workload on a daily basis can lead to burnout and decreased productivity.

Addressing an unmanageable workload comes down to prioritisation, organisation and communication. Start by prioritising your tasks and getting yourself organised to complete duties in a timely manner. If you’re still struggling, it could be worth delegating some of your tasks, or communicating with your supervisor about the workload.

Lack of motivation or career growth opportunities  

At times, you might find yourself struggling with a lack of motivation or limited career growth opportunities. These types of challenges can lead to job dissatisfaction and a negative feedback loop that further drains your motivation.

To overcome a lack of career growth, you have to be proactive about finding development and advancement opportunities yourself. If you find there are no opportunities at your current workplace, your options are to upskill in your own time and/or explore jobs elsewhere.

Toxic work environment  

Negativity and gossip can contribute to a toxic work environment. Over time, these types of stressful conditions can start to impact your mental health and overall wellbeing.

If you find yourself in a toxic work environment, it’s essential to set boundaries. Opt out of social events, conversations or situations you know will contribute to a poor workplace culture. Focus on self-care to help you relax outside of work hours. In some cases, you may need to escalate issues to your supervisor or HR department for guidance or intervention. 

Overcoming a challenge at work

If you’re facing a challenge at work, it’s important to address it as soon as possible, so that you can move on with your work and continue to progress. Here is a step-by-step breakdown of how you can overcome a challenge at work.

1. Identify the challenge you are facing  

Are you working with difficult colleagues? Or are there unclear expectations surrounding your role? Perhaps you have an unmanageable workload that causes you undue stress. The first step to overcoming a challenge is facing it head on.

2. Stay level-headed  

While some amount of stress is normal when faced with a challenge, it’s important to try to stay calm. Approaching a situation with a clear and rational mindset will make it easier to overcome than if you let emotions take control. 

3. Don’t be afraid to admit mistakes  

Everyone makes mistakes, so don’t be afraid to take ownership when you misstep. It demonstrates accountability and can help you find a solution more efficiently. Rather than worrying about who’s to  blame, try to see mistakes as an opportunity to learn and grow. 

4. Set goals with active steps to resolve the challenge  

Once you’ve identified the challenge, set SMART goals (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to overcome it. It’s important to outline concrete steps you can take to get past the obstacle. 

5. Learn to delegate tasks to reduce overworking  

If you’ve found yourself with too much work on your plate, start by prioritising your tasks based on their urgency, then on their importance. In some cases, you might be able to delegate certain tasks to colleagues to reduce stress.

6. Seek help when needed  

If something’s not working on the job, don’t be afraid to seek help from teammates, managers or your HR team. Explain the challenge you’re facing so they understand how they can help you. Your employer has a legal obligation to provide a safe and fair workplace. 

7. Build a support network  

A network of colleagues, friends, family or even mentors can provide valuable guidance and encouragement when you’re faced with workplace challenges. Seek out those you trust and can confide in. Be careful not to speak negatively about your workplace or colleagues, as doing so can make a challenging situation even more difficult.

8. Cultivate a growth mindset 

It might not come naturally, but cultivating a growth mindset can help you embrace challenges, seeing them as opportunities to learn and improve. Focus on what you can control and try to reframe negative situations into positive learning experiences. 

You’re likely to encounter a few different challenges throughout your career. By taking a proactive approach, you’ll be better able to overcome these obstacles and enjoy a more fulfilling career. If you’re currently facing your own workplace challenge, remember that these issues are often temporary no matter how bad they seem, and can open up opportunities to improve your work life. 

FAQs   

How can I stay calm and collected when dealing with a workplace issue? 

You can stay calm when dealing with a workplace issue by taking deep breaths or practising mindfulness techniques to reduce feelings of stress. Try to stay objective and level-headed as you work toward a solution. If you feel overwhelmed during the process, be sure to take breaks to help clear your mind.

Should I admit a mistake or try to keep it quiet? 

It’s always better to take ownership of your mistakes than try to keep the mistake quiet. Recognising and admitting to your mistakes allows you to learn from them and shows honesty and integrity, which helps build trust in the workplace.

How do I create specific and actionable steps to overcome my challenge? 

When it comes to creating actionable steps to overcome workplace challenges, first identify the challenge and set SMART goal-setting approach, as outlined in the article above By creating goals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound, you’ll know exactly what steps you need to take to overcome the challenge you’re facing.

What are some strategies to prioritise tasks and delegate effectively? 

The first step in prioritising your tasks is to rank your to-do list in terms of importance and urgency, with the most important and urgent tasks at the top of your list and the least important and urgent at the bottom. Once you’ve prioritised your tasks, note those that are time-consuming and/or can be assigned to or shared with others. Ask for help from coworkers who have enough time and the appropriate skills. 

When is it okay to ask for help from colleagues or my manager without being seen as incompetent? 

It’s okay to ask for help from colleagues or your manager if you’re new to the task or if it’s particularly challenging, urgent or important. Ask for help as soon as you know you’re going to need it so your manager can delegate someone to collaborate. It’s much better to ask for help than to make a mistake and have to go back and correct it. 

Who can be part of my support network at work, and how can I build it? 

You can build a support network of like-minded coworkers, people in leadership and mentors at work. It’s important to take a proactive approach to building a support network and to be willing to help others as well.

How can I maintain a positive mindset when facing challenges? 

To maintain a positive mindset when facing challenges, focus on the solution rather than the problem, set realistic goals and practise mindfulness to stay calm. It can help to reframe the situation into a positive one.

More from this category: Workplace advice

Top search terms

Want to know what people are searching for on SEEK? Explore our top search terms to stay across industry trends.
Select an industry to uncover the top search terms

Subscribe to Career Advice

Get expert career advice delivered to your inbox.
You can cancel emails at any time. By clicking ‘subscribe’ you agree to SEEK’s Privacy Statement.