What is Professionalism?
Posted on 23. Feb, 2009 by Linda Lord in Blog, Choice development, Dramatic Presentations
The term professionalism has become a mainstream adjective. Historically, a professional was an individual who had earned an advanced degree and all the rights and privileges associated with it. Now, we tend to equate professionalism with a set of expectations within any industry, that reflects the high standards clients and customers demand.
Each profession may have its own philosophy and code of ethics that members are bound to respect. There may be research, study, and continuous learning components. No one who considers him/herself a professional can expect to complete the minimal requirements and rest on the laurels of that education or training for their entire career. Professionalism is also reflected in the active service, both paid and volunteer, that professionals provide. They may serve as mentors and role models for others.
When employees demonstrate a high level of professionalism they will usually be rewarded with autonomy. They are trusted to know what has to be done, do it with diligence, and complete the assignment without fault. They will be afforded the opportunity to use their own judgement in determining how to solve problems and how to approach challenges. Because of their inherent work ethic, they take pride in the quality of their work.
Those who we describe as professional also have a particular way of being outside of the tasks that they perform. They tend to be cool under pressure, able to move easily between social settings and handle public events with confidence. Someone demonstrating professionalism is able to omit emotional outbursts when handling stressful situations. They maintain their focus, accept the urgency of the situation, and act responsibly when resolving difficult matters. By doing so, they maintain the respect of their peers, superiors, and subordinates,
Simple things like punctuality and common courtesy also contribute to a person’s sense of professionalism. Gossiping, backbiting, and sabotage are not tolerated in the repertoire of professional behaviours.
If you want to rate your own level of professionalism, go to my website, www.lindajlord.com and download a free checklist. Already on the website? Visit the Downloads tab at the top of the page.
Advertising 125x125
