Learning What Not To Do: Lessons From Work, Life, and People

 As kids and teenagers, we are constantly told what to do and what not to do.

We grow up absorbing these rules—some we follow, some we ignore, and some get imposed on us so strongly that we don’t even question them.

But beyond all that childhood conditioning, I realised something interesting when I joined the corporate world:

I started learning what not to do far more than what to do.

These lessons quietly stored themselves in my mind, replaying every time I faced an insecure boss, unfair team dynamics, or a biased work culture.

The irony? Even though I knew these things were wrong, I didn’t always manage to implement the opposite behaviour myself.

Over the years, that has started to change.

Some lessons finally turned into practice—especially those shaped by insecure bosses or a lopsided work culture.

I’ve experienced both deeply (and honestly, often felt like a prey to them), so I took those lessons seriously:

• I try to showcase my team instead of overshadowing them.

• I try to give opportunities rather than hoard them.

• I consciously attempt load-balancing so no one feels singled out or burdened

A little personal touch helps better team bonding

Some people, especially the difficult ones, have genuinely taught me what not to do.

My simple philosophy is:

“I should not treat others the way I myself wouldn’t want to be treated.”

I try to live by that.

My pass-to-failure ratio varies, of course—but I keep trying.