20 Workplace Pet Peeves (And How to Overcome Them)
It’s often the small, everyday habits that cause the biggest frustrations at work.
While technical skills and polished communication matter, it’s self-awareness that often sets people apart as strong teammates and effective leaders. Still, plenty of professionals fall into patterns—like talking over others, missing details, or failing to follow through—that make collaboration harder than it needs to be.
These habits might seem harmless in the moment, but over time, they can lead to confusion, slow progress, and strained working relationships. To that end, 20 Fast Company Executive Board members share the business protocol pet peeves they wish more people would recognize (and overcome) to create a more respectful, productive workplace.
1. Performing Professionalism
My biggest pet peeve? Performing professionalism instead of practicing it. Over-apologizing, passive-aggressive behavior, or hiding behind jargon—none of it builds trust. I wish more people focused on clarity, self-awareness, and directness. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being intentional and present in how you show up. – Kristin Marquet, Marquet Media, LLC
2. Anxiously Waiting to Speak Instead of Truly Listening to Others
My biggest pet peeve is a lack of active listening. Too many professionals are more focused on speaking rather than truly hearing what others are saying. It creates misalignment, missed opportunities, and weakens trust. – Stephen Nalley, Black Briar Advisors
3. Dominating Conversations
One pet peeve is people dominating conversations without reading the room. Self-aware professionals know when to speak and when to listen. Pausing to let others contribute not only shows respect, but it also leads to better decisions and stronger team dynamics. – Boris Dzhingarov, ESBO Ltd
4. Not Following Through
One of my biggest pet peeves in business protocol is a lack of follow-through. It’s surprising how often people commit to something and then fail to deliver or provide a status update. Accountability builds trust. – Maria Alonso, Fortune 206
5. Being Ambiguous in Communications
Ambiguity causes confusion and inefficiency. I wish more people communicated intent and expectations clearly before sending messages. – Asad Khan, LambdaTest Inc.
6. Sharing Opinions Without Owning Responsibility
Vague, non-committal communication slows progress. Clear ownership drives accountability. – Barry Lowenthal, Inuvo, Inc.
7. Confusing Activation With Productivity
Being busy isn’t the same as being productive. Sustainable leadership requires presence and self-awareness. – Dr. Camille Preston, AIM Leadership, LLC
8. Valuing Visibility Over Impact
High-performing teams reward substance over spotlight. Results matter more than appearances. – Jani Hirvonen, Google
9. Ignoring Tone, Context, or Key Details
Not reading the room undermines credibility. Pause, listen, and respond thoughtfully. – Justin Rende, Rhymetec
10. Chasing Productivity Optics Over Real Outcomes
True effectiveness comes from intentional action, not performative busyness. – Unnat Bak, Revscale™
11. Failing to Set Aside Time for Others
Neglecting connection limits growth—for both leaders and teams. – Larry Brinker Jr., BRINKER
12. Lacking Attention to Detail
Execution quality reflects professionalism and respect for commitments. – Eddy Azad, Parsec Automation Corp.
13. A Rigid Adherence to Professional Hierarchy
Healthy cultures prioritize shared accountability over titles. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal Credit Union
14. Putting on the ‘Corporate Mask’ at the Risk of Authenticity
Authenticity builds engagement and trust. – Shawn Galloway, ProAct Safety, Inc.
15. Exaggerating Small Tasks
Real progress doesn’t need theatrics. – Travis Schreiber, erase.com
16. Engaging in Overly Personal, Political, or Gossipy Conversations
Professional boundaries protect focus and trust. – John William Patton, ProVention Health Foundation
17. Focusing on Performance Over Leadership
Delegation and trust are essential to scalable leadership. – Mark Valentino, Citizens
18. Assuming Understanding, Then Blaming Others for Miscommunications
Clarity prevents conflict. – Jay Steven Levin, WinThinking
19. Not Reading the Room
Situational awareness is a leadership skill. – Gianluca Ferruggia, DesignRush
20. Being Vague or Overly Conservative in Goal-Setting
Clear goals and justified boldness drive momentum. – Max Azarov, Novakid Inc.
