The 8 Dumbest Career-Ending Mistakes that Smart People Make (Forbes)

When "Scary Smart People" Derail...

"We have seen it in our careers:  people who we thought would have gone on to be the tops in their company or industry end up shooting themselves in the foot." It could be a star sales executive, a top billing lawyer, or a rock star up-and-coming executive.  When we first met them, we might have said that they were 'scary smart.'  Their intelligence is intimidating."  (read full Forbes article by Eric Jackson)

This article is spot on.  However, what is really at work for those dumb mistakes that smart people make is that their inherent personality risk factors are running amok and are simply out of control.  Often this career peril is caused with a cocktail of the Egotist, Rule Breaker and Upstager risks that run rampant to the point that these shining stars begin to feel invincible.  Frequently, on the rise, the fall out of their bad behaviors are ignored due to the glowing project successes.  Then, they do the unforgivable and cross the line.  

To see a list of the eleven inherent risk factors, go here. If you know what your inherent risk factors are, you can manage them more productively or prevent them from taking a toll on your performance, relationships and career.  If you don't know what they are via an appropriate measurement instrument, they often run amok without you realizing it.   If you would like to take the assessments and have a coaching debrief, email:  cdrinfo@cdrassessmentgroup.com   

P.S. Don't let dumb mistakes derail your success! The good news is -- you can manage your risk factors productively so that your career doesn't tank and reaches the levels of your dreams.