Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Unflip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Unflip

1 2 3 4 5 6

Original poster

Overheard chat about why people don’t progress at work

131 replies

OchreCrab · 21/08/2025 22:27

I overheard a conversation at a cafe about why people don’t progress at work.

Im 40 and was self employed until 32 selling a product with no staff and just myself. I had to move countries to be closer to mum who’s had health issues. I also had a baby so was away from the workforce for a year.

I have a PAYE job and started on £21k and after job hopping a few times I’m on £34k. I hope to progress and I've been placed with a mentor. I have a lot of weakness in my communication.

However I was wondering if a reason why I’ve not progressed is because of ability, how can you tell? I don’t communicate well but I do hope to work on my low self esteem. It’s also hard to get training/support whilst at work due to busy managers. I’ve moved companies and want to stay in this job for a little while longer (due to baby and hopefully learning about the job/industry). Also could get a funded cert via my employer.

i hope when I’m 50 I’m head of something.

Aibu I’m thinking I can’t progress?

OP posts:

Merryoldgoat · 21/08/2025 23:09

@OchreCrab it depends on what you do really. You say you ‘don’t have a low level of writing’ but that is itself a clumsy sentence construction.

If, for example, you were writing detailed briefing papers which had to convey information concisely I’d be concerned your writing wasn’t up to scratch, but for another job it would be perfectly fine.

One of the most common reasons I see for lack of progression is an inability to drive a business forward and a lack of curiosity.

Are you a person who takes your manager work that’s 80% there or do you take them the finished product? When faced with a new situation are you expecting someone to take you through it? Or do you inform yourself? Are you identifying suitable training and asking to go on courses?

Being keen, engaged and focused will be a real asset in progressing.

Mandarinaduck · 21/08/2025 23:09

NB Probably this will never be your strongest suit, but that's OK. You can work to improve it and you undoubtedly have other skills that others don't.

Mandarinaduck · 21/08/2025 23:07

I think most skills are learnable. You sound motivated and clear-sighted; I'm sure you'll progress.

Communication is a tricky one, I relate to the issue you describe. Probably you need some techniques to buy yourself time and calm your mind when called on to speak spontaneously.

roclalalflg · 21/08/2025 23:02

OchreCrab · 21/08/2025 22:55

Being clear in when I speak. I panic and get mixed up on words, can’t communicate and talk freely.

if I’m given a task I’m fine, I can plan things. I can understand.

i say the wrong word or don’t pronounce words correctly or explain myself well.

I have a degree, so I don’t have a low level of writing etc.

Show quote history

That not too difficult to improve on! There are a lot of videos on TikTok and yotube on this. A cool and helpful thing I picked up on is the 3 minute challenge. You pick a random topic and record yourself talking about it. Then you listen back and analyse yourself.

Also things like Toastmasters help with this. Activities structured to force you to endure public speaking.It does get muuuuch better with exposure and time :)