Professionalism ... How do I get one?
There is this one word that keep running to my mind. "Professionalism" I believe that whatever we do in our daily life, we all need to be professional. Whether we are students, Managers, or a simple Rank and File. It is a word that makes a difference in the end result of what we are doing or trying to accomplish.
I saw this article that catch my eyes and would like to share:
It's sometimes difficult to identify the true meaning of "professionalism." Many individuals use professionalism as a facade to cover their lack ability to perform their job effectively. Others use it to for intimidation to gain power. Still others use it as a way to impress the unknowing. However, it seems that very few individuals use it for its original intent---to provide a foundation for effective communications and efficient performance.
At a recent career enhancement group discussion I had with a few individuals, one of the many concerns that kept surfacing was that of "fitting into the professional environment." But, the question I posed in response was, "What is professionalism?" The answers varied, but it became evident that the challenges that these individuals faced in their career was not in their ability to handle their job, but in their lack of a definitive understanding of professionalism in their workplace.
--- What is "Professionalism"? ---
Professionalism has many levels and is handled many different ways. You might find that what one person sees as being professional, another would see otherwise. This can cause considerable confusion for someone trying to define professionalism in their own career. But, the one point to keep in mind is that the core definition of professionalism is always the same.
Power lunches and golfing with associates has little to do with the definition of professionalism. Extracurricular activities are great for networking; however, they are also situations in which individuals make their greatest mistake: trusting the situation and letting down their professional facade. Your emotional self begins to rise to the surface and you immediately alter the playing field against yourself.
Drinking with the boss has absolutely nothing to do with the definition of professionalism. While it is possible to get into the "inner circle" this way, I have seen careers come crashing down over a single beer because the boss was able to use the alcohol as a way to find "the real you" beneath the business-shield. You begin to relax and eventually your professional being takes a hike.
Business suits do not define professionalism; however, the professional situation defines which clothes you should wear. Whether it is casual day or formal day in your office, you must dress to look your part. How you look demonstrates how you feel and will define how people see your professional being, inside and out.
So, what is professionalism if it's not power lunches, golf, drinking with the boss, and business suits? A general, raw view of professionalism is, "a focused, accountable, confident, competent, motivation toward a particular goal, with respect for hierarchy and humanity, less the emotion." What this means is that you leave out the outbursts and emotional thralls that accompany stressful situations and success. You maintain focus, with a sense of urgency, and accept responsibility on a path toward a specific goal. In the process, you maintain respect for your superiors, peers, and subordinates as well as respect them as human beings.
--- Handling Professional Situations ---
The advantage to dealing with professional situations without emotion, and base business-related interactions on intellect, industry, and experience, is that it provides a common foundation from which professional relationships can flourish. Emotion varies wildly between individuals; however, competency in a particular field provides a relatively linear basis of understanding. From this basis, everyone can function and exercise their power on the same playing field.
Understand that a business situation has a purpose and a goal. Jocularity and emotional responses have no place in such a situation because it takes away from the time spent moving toward that goal. By including such emotion into a professional relationship can make others, who are focused on their direction, see you as someone that doesn't take their position seriously. I am not saying that a sense of humor is not acceptable, but being "the fool among the knights" can get you labeled as someone who is not a "team player," among other things.
The point to realize is that, if a professional situation seems to be turning against you, maybe you are not behaving in a professional manner. As noted at the beginning of this article, the definition varies, but by staying near the raw definition of professionalism, you should be able to survive just about any professional situation.
--- You are unprofessional! ---
As the discussion progressed, many of the people in the group felt as though professionalism is a subjective term based on a hidden set of standards. Many companies use these standards to criticize you if they don't like you, and to praise you otherwise.
Indeed, in some cases, peers and superiors use such a mechanism for motivating and manipulating co-workers; however, you have to establish a level of professionalism with which you are comfortable so that you know whether another's criticism is realistic. In some cases, if the criticism seems just and you feel that it can help you succeed in your career, then make an adjustment to your basic professional fa?de. However, in the majority of cases that you are otherwise deemed "unprofessional," take it with a grain of salt as the criticism could indeed be to simply make you doubt yourself at the onset of a power struggle.
However, in many cases, you can justifiably be seen as unprofessional if you have not taken the time to understand your corporate culture and learn those "hidden standards." Corporate culture plays a considerable role into the idea of professionalism. You have to learn how to maintain your level of raw professionalism and, once you learn the corporate culture, add the new expectations to your professional facade. Classify it as an add-on to your existing professional being, as a portion of this add-on will probably be discarded once you move to a new corporate environment with a new corporate culture.
--- What's next? ---
One problem with this view of professionalism is that very few people seem to subscribe to this "raw" definition. It's not so much that they push it aside, but they've acquired new add-ons through their experiences to morph the raw definition into something that benefits their needs and directions. So many variations can be confusing and cause great concern for career-minded individuals.
To make your professional transition easier, you can find that nearly every professional being has a core definition centered on the raw definition presented here. When dealing with a professional situation, stick with this basic definition and do not vary, as this will provide you with a safe basis from which to operate. As you gain confidence in your new professional being, you can vary it according to your experience, position, direction, and your corporate culture to advance your professional career.
I saw this article that catch my eyes and would like to share:
It's sometimes difficult to identify the true meaning of "professionalism." Many individuals use professionalism as a facade to cover their lack ability to perform their job effectively. Others use it to for intimidation to gain power. Still others use it as a way to impress the unknowing. However, it seems that very few individuals use it for its original intent---to provide a foundation for effective communications and efficient performance.
At a recent career enhancement group discussion I had with a few individuals, one of the many concerns that kept surfacing was that of "fitting into the professional environment." But, the question I posed in response was, "What is professionalism?" The answers varied, but it became evident that the challenges that these individuals faced in their career was not in their ability to handle their job, but in their lack of a definitive understanding of professionalism in their workplace.
--- What is "Professionalism"? ---
Professionalism has many levels and is handled many different ways. You might find that what one person sees as being professional, another would see otherwise. This can cause considerable confusion for someone trying to define professionalism in their own career. But, the one point to keep in mind is that the core definition of professionalism is always the same.
Power lunches and golfing with associates has little to do with the definition of professionalism. Extracurricular activities are great for networking; however, they are also situations in which individuals make their greatest mistake: trusting the situation and letting down their professional facade. Your emotional self begins to rise to the surface and you immediately alter the playing field against yourself.
Drinking with the boss has absolutely nothing to do with the definition of professionalism. While it is possible to get into the "inner circle" this way, I have seen careers come crashing down over a single beer because the boss was able to use the alcohol as a way to find "the real you" beneath the business-shield. You begin to relax and eventually your professional being takes a hike.
Business suits do not define professionalism; however, the professional situation defines which clothes you should wear. Whether it is casual day or formal day in your office, you must dress to look your part. How you look demonstrates how you feel and will define how people see your professional being, inside and out.
So, what is professionalism if it's not power lunches, golf, drinking with the boss, and business suits? A general, raw view of professionalism is, "a focused, accountable, confident, competent, motivation toward a particular goal, with respect for hierarchy and humanity, less the emotion." What this means is that you leave out the outbursts and emotional thralls that accompany stressful situations and success. You maintain focus, with a sense of urgency, and accept responsibility on a path toward a specific goal. In the process, you maintain respect for your superiors, peers, and subordinates as well as respect them as human beings.
--- Handling Professional Situations ---
The advantage to dealing with professional situations without emotion, and base business-related interactions on intellect, industry, and experience, is that it provides a common foundation from which professional relationships can flourish. Emotion varies wildly between individuals; however, competency in a particular field provides a relatively linear basis of understanding. From this basis, everyone can function and exercise their power on the same playing field.
Understand that a business situation has a purpose and a goal. Jocularity and emotional responses have no place in such a situation because it takes away from the time spent moving toward that goal. By including such emotion into a professional relationship can make others, who are focused on their direction, see you as someone that doesn't take their position seriously. I am not saying that a sense of humor is not acceptable, but being "the fool among the knights" can get you labeled as someone who is not a "team player," among other things.
The point to realize is that, if a professional situation seems to be turning against you, maybe you are not behaving in a professional manner. As noted at the beginning of this article, the definition varies, but by staying near the raw definition of professionalism, you should be able to survive just about any professional situation.
--- You are unprofessional! ---
As the discussion progressed, many of the people in the group felt as though professionalism is a subjective term based on a hidden set of standards. Many companies use these standards to criticize you if they don't like you, and to praise you otherwise.
Indeed, in some cases, peers and superiors use such a mechanism for motivating and manipulating co-workers; however, you have to establish a level of professionalism with which you are comfortable so that you know whether another's criticism is realistic. In some cases, if the criticism seems just and you feel that it can help you succeed in your career, then make an adjustment to your basic professional fa?de. However, in the majority of cases that you are otherwise deemed "unprofessional," take it with a grain of salt as the criticism could indeed be to simply make you doubt yourself at the onset of a power struggle.
However, in many cases, you can justifiably be seen as unprofessional if you have not taken the time to understand your corporate culture and learn those "hidden standards." Corporate culture plays a considerable role into the idea of professionalism. You have to learn how to maintain your level of raw professionalism and, once you learn the corporate culture, add the new expectations to your professional facade. Classify it as an add-on to your existing professional being, as a portion of this add-on will probably be discarded once you move to a new corporate environment with a new corporate culture.
--- What's next? ---
One problem with this view of professionalism is that very few people seem to subscribe to this "raw" definition. It's not so much that they push it aside, but they've acquired new add-ons through their experiences to morph the raw definition into something that benefits their needs and directions. So many variations can be confusing and cause great concern for career-minded individuals.
To make your professional transition easier, you can find that nearly every professional being has a core definition centered on the raw definition presented here. When dealing with a professional situation, stick with this basic definition and do not vary, as this will provide you with a safe basis from which to operate. As you gain confidence in your new professional being, you can vary it according to your experience, position, direction, and your corporate culture to advance your professional career.
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