What is Professionalism in the Workplace?
Much is spoken about behaving professionally. Professionalism is actually an essential trait both in business and society. It is that quality which drives a person’s appearance, personal and professional interactions, and which provides others with a first impression.
Most people can actively recognize professionalism or the lack of it in others, but find it extremely difficult to define it, when considering their own behavior.
The word Professionalism is associated with being professional in terms of exhibiting an outcome that a particular profession demands. A person can be associated with any profession but he would not be termed as professional till the time he demonstrates the standards of highest degree that a particular profession requires. Knowledge, exhibition, demonstration of professional capabilities and the experience which people derive from such professionals gets reflected in form the of professionalism.
You remove the word professionalism and what you have is an experience that in no way reflects the intricacies associated with a profession.
Table of Contents
Every profession has its standard and the people who comply with such standards are called professionals. It is the display
of professional capabilities that constitute professionalism and give true meaning to a particular profession.
There would be different meanings for this particular word ‘PROFESSION’ but each is true in its own sense but what they miss is an Experience.
The Experience that one get when one deals with a professional vis-à-vis normal person. It is in this Experience lies the true essence of Professionalism.
Let’s look it at more deeply and see what exactly professionalism is and how it provides an experience of its own.
A patient goes to a doctor:
- 1) The doctor without hearing anything asks the patient to get admitted to his hospital.
- 2) He talks of everything but ailment.
- 3) He does 10 different tests and keeps the patient clueless.
- 4) He is non-approachable and always busy in one thing or other.
- 5) He charges a hefty fee and puts huge medical charges.
- 6) He does cure the patient but the satisfaction was missing.
Now this unhappy patient experiences the same problems again. Instead of his previous doctor he goes to a new, well known, and a renowned doctor:
- 1) The doctor genuinely hears the problems faced by the patient.
- 2) He asks the patient to get admitted so that he can keep him under his supervision.
- 3) He starts the medication and at each step briefs the patient about the situation.
- 4) He is available at all times and takes proper interest in the patient.
- 5) When the patient gets cured the doctor charges him the right amount justifying each part involved in the treatment.
- 6) While leaving the doctor gives his number to the patient and asks him to call in case of any associated problem.
You would find a difference in approach taken by the two doctors:
1) The way they diagnose
2) The way they listen
3) The way they treat
4) The way charge etc.
The difference in approach reflects in the form of experience and it is this experience that separates the professionals from the novices and provides true meaning to the word professionalism.
The second Doctor demonstrated the professionalism in its truest form.
The reason you respect people of certain professions is only because of their demonstration of Professionalism.
Remove professionalism and all you are left with is nothing but a normal experience that you can get from anywhere.
Hence, a professional must have the following qualities:
- A good role model for others including, their behavior, attitude and relationships.
- Good Time Keepers always in before time, uses time well.
- Dresses appropriately for the role.
- Speaks in an appropriate way to different audience without being patronizing or putting people down.
- Knowledgeable about the job, organization, etc.
- Good with people.
- Communicate effectively, whatever the circumstances – actively listens.
- Manages their time well.
- Works well under pressure.
- Fulfils deadlines.
- Prioritizes effectively – Is prepared to put in the time and effort to get things done, but also manages to have a reasonable work life balance.
- Is accountable and takes responsibility for what they do and say, and for what they leave undone.
- Is able to run effective meetings- They are well versed in when to speak and when not speak in a meeting.
- They are open to views and suggestions of others and make decisions on the best interest of the organization.
- Professionals see themselves as part of the solution rather than the problem.
If you are keen to succeed in any business, you need to demonstrate that you have the potential to fulfill that role. Just wanting the job, the title, status and financial reward is simply not enough. You will also gain a huge amount of personal satisfaction in knowing you have what it takes to be a great professional.
IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONALISM IN WORKPLACE
Why is professionalism is important in the workplace?
- Professionalism in the workplace is important to ensure good performance by all. If everyone is professional, everyone will do the best they can at their job.
- Professionalism in the workplace is required to ensure a good team spirit. If people work professionally, they will know how to value their organizational goals, along with their personal ones.
- Professionalism is required to keep all the employees motivated. Happy employees are positive brand ambassadors for the organization. Keeping the employees motivated, is important to keep a good reputation in the office.
- It is important to ensure justice to everyone’s efforts. In a professional environment, a person’s quality of work is taken into consideration along with the quality of their work. This phenomenon does justice and appreciates the efforts of the employees.
- Professionalism in the workplace helps at maintaining the right amount of communication at the workplace. It also ensures that those who require to be heard,are heard.
Professionalism is the axis around which any organization revolves. Without this axis, the organization will be lost in the galaxy of politics, mind games and blame games.
TIPS FOR PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE
So, now that we know what professionalism in the workplace is all about, it is important to know how to induce it in the employees. The employees that make an organization, it is very important to ensure that professionalism is understood by them.
So how do you conduct “professionalism training in the workplace”?
- Keep a uniform environment for communication. If you wish to refer to each other with formality (That is with the surname, or using “sir” and “ma’am”), then let that be constant for all, in the workplace. If you want a more friendly, environment, then let everyone use the first name. Whatever you choose, it has to be constant and uniform for all.
- It is important that you make sure that all employees are aware of the professional environment at work. While their personal issues will be considered by the management when required, they need to abstain from discussing it during office hours. This keeps the office environment free from empathy related biases about productivity.
- Employees should be told to abstain from the concept of competition bashing. Often in the heat of the moment, employees, go about bashing their competition’s reputation. This would include complaining to the management about certain aspects about them, or spreading rumors via the grapevine. This should be avoided at all times. If anyone is found indulging in such activities, strict action should be taken at
the earliest - Punctuality is very important. If the office has fixed working hours, it should be abided by all the employees. In case there is a deviation by any employee, either they should inform before hand, cover up the work in the near future, or complete their day’s target in the span of time.
- Professional dress code should be maintained. Luring seniors by wearing provocative clothes, is a very well tried and tested method. If one wishes to avoid the use of such tactics at the workplace, and avoid the possibility of fraternizing within the workplace, it is important to make sure that everyone dresses in a certain manner, that is acceptable by all in the management.
These training tips are to show how to keep the environment professional, yet flexible. A professional environment does not necessarily have to be a restricting one.
LACK OF PROFESSIONALISM IN THE WORKPLACE
- Professionalism in the workplace is responsible for several positive actions in the organization. As a flip side to the coin, lack of professionalism, will be responsible for several negatives.
- Lack of motivation at work, often, occurs due to lack of professionalism.
- Lack of professionalism will lead to employees not thinking of the organization as their own, but as a place where they are till something better comes up. It will lead to declining job satisfaction.
- Lack of professionalism leads to unethical acts in the company that would mar its reputation.
- Lack of professionalism leads to higher attrition rate, which keeps the organization’s recruitment budget in use at all times, causing it a financial strain.
- It also leads to lack of loyalty between the management and the employees, making the basic functioning in the organization difficult
A CASE STUDY
“Gaurav was not of the same ethnicity as the others in his office. Nonetheless, due to his acumen in the field and great communication skills he was posted at a fairly coveted position. His seniors seemed to like his work and appreciate the work that he put in. But, this was only until their position was not threatened by his. Gaurav was a man of free speech, in a diplomatic way. He did not believe in sweet talking his way into the social circles in the office. Due to this, he was not really favored by the juniors. When the time for promotions arrived, Gaurav was at a loss, in spite of deserving the promotion.
For what seemed like, no reason at all!”
Do you really think there was no reason why Gaurav faced problems at work? As per the ordinary code of conduct regarding professionalism at work, it was due to his differences with a few others. This is definitely not an uncommon sight in the corporate world. As such the concepts of sweet talking and, occasionally, “compromising” have become household terms when it comes to the office.
HOW TO BECOME A PROFESSIONAL?
With a certificate, diploma, or college degree under your belt, you have opened the door to many career opportunities in your future. In addition to this, there is more to know when it comes to how to become a professional.
Here are some tips on developing a professional manner:
- Be well groomed, clean and pressed, head to toe, everyday.
- If you have a moment’s doubt about whether something is appropriate to wear in the workplace, don’t wear it.
- Avoid clothes that are too tight or revealing.
- Use restraint with cologne and perfume.
- Hide tattoos.
A GOOD CHARACTER
- Be honest
- Be reliable
- Be positive
- Be true to yourself
- See your job as an extension of who you are
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IS ESSENTIAL FOR PROFESSIONAL SUCCESS
Effective communication in the workplace is the driving force of any successful business.
- Speak clearly and in a light, friendly manner.
- Pay attention to others and what goes on around you.
- Communicate honestly and directly but always with tact and respect.
- Express your beliefs even if you don’t agree, but remain positive and supportive to the organization.
- Communicate with care via telephone and email since that is often the first contact others make with you and your company.
- See the big picture and make connections between people and events.
REPRESENT THE ORGANIZATION
You as an employee is the representative of your organization at all times and your behavior reflects that organization.
- Demonstrate a vested interest and commitment to your organization.
- Clearly and accurately articulate your company’s mission.
- Take pride in your work.
PROFESSIONALISM REQUIRES EMOTIONAL INTELLIGENCE
One of the greatest challenges of any workplace is developing work relationships with co- workers, customers or clients. To become aprofessional you must handle your emotions with grace and intelligence.
- It is natural to feel angry with others, even on the job, however it is never appropriate to act out on anger.
- Take responsibility for your actions.
- Develop solid working relationships by showing kindness and respect to all.
- There can be incidents on the job or co- workers that may cause you unhappiness or harm. Figure out how to promptly and calmly discuss this with the appropriate party, avoiding drama and tattling.
- Avoid gossip.
IMPORTANCE OF PROFESSIONAL ETTIQUETE
As a working professional it is expected from you to understand the culture of your workplace and thus, it becomes essential to follow some basic professional etiquette.The basis of professional etiquette stands on the ethics of respecting other individuals in your workplace and displaying courteous behavior during business interactions.Professional etiquette can have long lasting and far fetched impact on professional life; be it your personal career growth or a rising business for your company.Your professional etiquette can thus, put you in the good/ bad book of your immediate boss or potential clients.
Basic Professional Etiquette Tips
Mentioned below are some basic professional etiquette tips which you can follow to make a great impact on everyone in your company.
Conversation Etiquettes
- Always listen to others attentively. A good listener is always dear to every client. Speak only when the other person has finished talking instead of interrupting in between.
- Keep a low but clear and calm voice while conversing. Your tone should always be polite.
- While conversing always look into the eyes of the other person and avoid showing your back or looking elsewhere.
- Keep your conversations short and to the point instead of getting into irrelevant topics and discussions. Remember this is a business talk and not a family re-union.
- Maintain your sobriety and politeness even if the client speaks something offensive or rude and avoid replying back in harsh tone/words.
- Avoid fidgeting with your dress or putting your hands on the face while in a conversation.
Handshake Etiquettes
- When shaking hands always offer a firm handshake with your fingers tilted down and your thumb up. However, ensure your handshake is not so firm that it crushes or hurts the other person’s hand. This indicates that you are dominant.
- Limit the time of handshakes to 2 to 3 seconds and take your hand back gracefully.
- Avoid patting on the back of the hand.
- While shaking hands, greet the person by looking into his/her eyes.
Dressing Etiquettes
- Always wear neat and nicely pressed formal clothes. Choose corporate shades while you are picking up clothes for your office wear.
- Women should avoid wearing exposing dresses and opt for little but natural make- ups. Men need to keep their hair (including facial hair) neatly trimmed and set.
- Always polish your shoes.
- Keep your nails clean.
- Wear clothes which you are comfortable in and can carry well. This is very important when you are in a business meeting or client presentation.
Introduction and Greeting Etiquettes
- When you are getting introduced, either shake hands or nod your head.
- If you are in charge of introducing other people always introduce the lower ranked person to the higher ranked one.
- When first introduced, stand up to meet or greet the person.
Electronic Communication Etiquettes
- While communicating with your colleagues, seniors or clients through emails, always address the person with ‘Dear’ ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’ followed by a title (Mr./Mrs./Miss etc.) and his/her name and end your mail with Yours Sincerely’ or ‘Yours Truly’, whatever suits best with your name and designation. Also, always mention a ‘Subject’ for all your official mails
- Keep official mails preferably short and precise. However, if the subject demands elaborate details and explanations, go ahead but use a friendly formal language instead of a casual one.
- While speaking over telephones, always greet the other person while starting and ending the call. Always speak politely.
- Include your contact details and the date while sending faxes.
- While participating in conference calls introduce all the participants to each other at the beginning.
General Etiquettes
- Always be punctual at your workplace.
- Switch off or put your mobile/cell phones in silent mode during a conference call, business meeting or corporate presentation. In case it is an urgent call which you need to take excuse yourself and take permission from the others for taking the call.
- Avoid digging your nose in public.
- Use handkerchiefs when you are coughing/ sneezing in public.
- When in a meeting room, always stand up to greet the seniors if they arrive after you.
- Try to ignore and overlook funny or embarrassing sounds when in a meeting or official conversation.
- If you have forgotten somebody’s name ask him/her politely saying that you are sorry that you cannot remember the name.
- Always keep a comfortable distance while conversing with others. Avoid standing or sitting too close to the other person. An arm’s length would be ideal to maintain the comfort zone.
- Be careful while smoking and drinking when you have company. Find out if the person is comfortable with your smoking. Avoid excessive drinking when in a client meet.
- It would be nice if you hold the door for the person who is coming immediately behind you.
CASE STUDY
An elderly carpenter was ready to retire. He told his employer of his plans to leave the house building business and live a more leisurely life. The employer was sorry to see his good worker go and asked if he could build just one more house as a personal favor. The carpenter unwillingly agreed and started work. But his heart was not in it. His workmanship was indifferent and he used inferior material. When he finished his work, the contractor handed the front door key to him. “This is your house”, he said, “my gift to you”. The carpenter was shocked. If he had only known he was building his own house he would have
done it differently.
MORAL: If a job is worth doing, it’s worth doing well.
