What Does Being “Professional” Mean?
“Professional” is a
word we tend to use quite loosely. It can
mean two things: one is a member of a recognised “profession” (e.g. doctor,
lawyer, accountant, engineer) for which a professional qualification and recognition
by an appropriate industry body are needed to work. The other is as an adjective describing the
behaviour or conduct that one expects in others.
I hear people say “That wasn’t very professional behaviour”
or “He/she’s not very professional” meaning that the subject of conversation
doesn't behave or act in what the speaker deems to be an appropriate way. Often I’ve asked the speaker what they mean
when they use the word “professional” and the answers are varied. Most, however, include what I summarise
below.
Honesty/Ethical
Conduct:
Telling the truth (it may hurt). Giving all material facts that may affect
decision-making. Speaking plainly and
openly (but not rudely). Avoiding
ambiguity. Respecting other peoples’
confidence.
Demeanour:
Appropriate behaviour/attitude as occasion demands. Some tend to think that this means being
serious and humourless all the time. I
disagree.
Customer Interests:
You’re paid to look after your organisation’s interests,
then your customer’s, then your own.
Courtesy & Consideration:
Treating others as you would wish them to treat you. If you can’t say it to their face, don’t say
it.
Respect:
Closely related to the above, appreciating that everyone is
different and that they were all hired because they were seen to have something
to contribute. Whether you agree is immaterial. Another form of respect is not making people to ask you more than once to do something.
Time Management:
Many overestimate what they can achieve in a day and underestimate what they can achieve in a week. Turn up to meetings on time - show respect for other peoples' time.
Time Management:
Many overestimate what they can achieve in a day and underestimate what they can achieve in a week. Turn up to meetings on time - show respect for other peoples' time.
Teamwork:
You don't have to like your co-workers (see Respect above), but you were hired to
work together for the good of the organisation and its customers, not to
indulge in petty personal vendettas or point-scoring.
Information Sharing:
Keeping information to yourself could damage your
organisation. Thinking that it gives you
power or that hiding it will make others look bad is delusional. Information is not power; information empowers.
Accepting The Inevitable:
Bad things happen - when we least expect. Anything involving human beings will
experience setbacks. If they happened
for reasons within your control, work out what happened and stop it from
happening again.
Moving On:
Following on from Accepting
The Inevitable. You can moan about what has happened, or get on and fix it and learn
from it. One of my friends has a
great saying: “We are where we are.”
Don’t Shoot The Messenger:
People hate bringing bad news to others (it’s human
nature). Sometimes they have to. Professionals accept this and thank the
messenger for keeping them in the picture.
Facing Facts:
Failing to acknowledge the “elephant in the room” won't help
anyone.
Addressing Problems:
… before they turn into crises. Following on from Facing Facts, some problems resolve themselves. Others need to be resolved fast before they turn
into a crises, costing more time and effort to resolve.
Fairness:
Be seen to be fair to your colleagues and reports. Being called “hard but fair” is a compliment. Popularity comes second.
Accepting
Responsibility:
When things go wrong as well as when they go well. Avoiding playing the “blame game”, pointing
fingers or indulging in “witch hunts” to deflect criticism.
Thinking Long-Term:
Being able to see the longer term future and/or bigger
picture and not perpetually getting caught up with in-the-moment issues.
Trustworthy:
The product of many of the foregoing. If people trust you, they will come to you
and follow you.
I have spent more than half my life delivering change in different world markets from the most developed to “emerging” economies. With more than 20 years in international financial services around the world running different operations and lending businesses, I started my own Consultancy to offer solutions for improving performance, productivity and risk management. I work with individuals, small businesses, charities, quoted companies and academic institutions across the world. An international speaker, trainer, author and fund-raiser, I can be contacted by email. My website provides a full picture of my portfolio of services. For strategic questions that you should be asking yourself, follow me at @wkm610.
Labels: Career, Leadership, Social, Strategy, Teamwork
posted by William Martin @ 12:15
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