Professionalism and how to develop it

You know that it's essential to be professional if you want to be a success.  For some, being professional might mean dressing smartly at work, or doing a good job.  For others, being professional means having advanced degrees or other certifications, framed and hung on the office wall.  Professionalism encompasses all of these definitions.  But, it also covers much more.

The Webster defines professionalism as the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person; and it defines a profession as a calling requiring specialized knowledge and often long and intensive academic preparation.  These definitions imply that professionalism encompasses a number of different attributes, and, together, these attributes identify and define a professional.  Professionalism is a trait that's highly valued in the workforce.  It has many attributes, including specialized knowledge, competency, integrity, accountability and self-regulation.  To improve your own professionalism, focus on improving in each of these areas.

You can also exude professionalism by being kind and polite to everyone, presenting a professional image in your attitude and dress, and showing up for work or meetings fully prepared.  True professionals are always prepared.  This requires advance planning, timeliness, and attention.  Focus on improving your time management and planning skills, so that you're always in control.

Although professionalism means keeping commitments, doing high quality work, and having expert status, occasionally the pursuit of these attributes might tempt you not to volunteer for projects that fall outside your comfort zone.  You will need to look at each situation to make that decision.  Lastly, always analyze risks beforehand to minimize the consequences of getting things wrong, be honest about any skills gaps that you have, and work to fill them.  Then do the best you possibly can.

Honesty is the best policy

To be honest means to do what you know in your heart is right.  Sometimes being truly honest means giving up something you want in exchange for doing the right thing.  Leadership means being your own person and when you earn a reputation for integrity, values and honesty, you’re likely to be a respected leader within the company.  Leaders who have gained success pay attention to the inner voice that provides their moral compass, and they learn to guide their conduct according to the virtues and principals that flow from their moral identities.  Ed McMahon once said, “Honesty is the most single most important factor having a direct bearing on the final success of an individual, corporation, or product.”  Webster says that the definition of honesty is the ability to be truthful and having freedom from deceit.

Here is a story about an elderly carpenter who is ready to retire.  He tells his employer-contractor of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life with his wife enjoying his extended family.  He would miss the paycheck, but he needed to retire.  They could get by.  The contractor was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor.  The carpenter said yes, but in time it was easy to see that his heart was not in his work.  He resorted to shoddy workmanship and used inferior materials.  It was an unfortunate way to end his career.  When the carpenter finished his work and the builder came to inspect the house, the contractor handed the front-door key to the carpenter.  "This is your house," he said, "my gift to you."  What a shock! What a shame!  If he had only known he was building his own house, he would have done it all so differently.  Now he had to live in the home he had built none too well.

Think of yourself as the carpenter.  Think about your house.  Each day you hammer a nail, place a board, or erect a wall. Build wisely.  It is the only life you will ever build.  Even if you live it for only one day more, that day deserves to be lived graciously and with dignity.  We all must not forget that life is a do-it-yourself project.  Your life tomorrow will be the result of your attitudes and the choices you make today.

Learning Respect can be very hard at times

 G. Alan Bernard once said, “The respect that leadership must have requires that one’s ethics be without question.  A leader not only stays above the line between right and wrong, he stays well clear of the gray areas”.  Webster says that the definition of respect is having a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something.

Here is a story that a good friend shared with me many years ago.  A young man was getting ready to graduate from college.  For many months he had admired a beautiful sports car in a dealer's showroom, and knowing his father could well afford it, he told him that was all he wanted.  As graduation day approached, the young man awaited signs that his father had purchased the car.  Finally, on the morning of his graduation, his father called him into his private study.  His father told him how proud he was to have such a fine son, and told him how much he loved him.  He handed his son a beautifully wrapped gift box.  Curious, but somewhat disappointed, the young man opened the box and found a lovely, leather-bound Bible, with the young man's name embossed in gold.  Angry, he raised his voice to his father and said "With all your money, you give me a Bible?" and stormed out of the house, leaving the Bible.

Many years passed and the young man was very successful in business.  He had a beautiful home and wonderful family, but realized his father was very old, and thought perhaps he should go to him.  He had not seen him since that graduation day.  Before he could make arrangements, he received a telegram telling him his father had passed away, and willed all of his possessions to his son.  He needed to come home immediately and take care of things.  When he arrived at his father's house, sudden sadness and regret filled his heart.  He began to search through his father's important papers and saw the still new Bible, just as he had left it years ago.  With tears, he opened the Bible and began to turn the pages.  And as he did, a car key dropped from the back of the Bible.  It had a tag with the dealer's name, the same dealer who had the sports car he had desired.  On the tag was the date of his graduation, and the words PAID IN FULL.

Self-respect is at the heart of respecting others.  When you can identify and appreciate your strengths and accept your vulnerabilities, it's easier to truly respect the value in others.