How to Ruin Your Future: The Worst Career Advice Ever Received on Twitter

Have you ever received a piece of advice that felt like gospel but ended up being a disaster? You're not alone. Psychologist and author Adam Grant took to Twitter to ask a simple yet loaded question: "What's the worst career advice you've ever received?" The responses were as painful as they were enlightening.

The Hall of Shame: Worst Career Advice Ever Received

The thread quickly went viral, attracting high-profile participants like Monica Lewinsky. From being told never to complain about heavy workloads to being advised to act like the smartest person in the room, users shared over 35 documented instances of toxic tips. Grant kicked it off by sharing his own top 3 worst nuggets, sparking a massive conversation about the dangers of traditional 'wisdom' that no longer applies to the modern workplace.

Wisdom from the Pros: How to Filter Advice

Contrasting the bad advice, industry leaders shared what actually works. Karen Wickre, a former leader at Google, emphasizes building a "brain trust"—a network of experts to call on when your own knowledge falls short. Meanwhile, Gina Michnowicz of Union+Webster warns against letting others manage your career, suggesting that autonomy is the key to becoming a successful CEO.