Professionalism is all about success, influence and excellence; having a reputation for excellence and when one exhibits professionalism under any circumstances it is rare to come across closed doors either in the workplace or in your personal ambition because everyone loves to associate with excellence.
Workplace professionalism is based on factors like Style, Charisma, Attitude, Communication Etiquette among others. Professionalism focuses on the competence or skill that’s expected of a someone who is a professional which goes beyond having a professional degree or wearing crisp suits, rather, a true professional possesses several important characteristics one can apply to any type of business.
VALUES OF PROFESSIONALISM
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Excellence
Always strive for excellence; this is the key rule to achieving greatness in whatever field you undertake, this is what makes you and your work stand-out. Excellence is a quality of service which is unusually good and so surpasses ordinary standards, it should be made a habit for it to make a good impression on your bosses and colleagues.
- An Intelligent Dress Style
It is said that one is addressed how he is dressed; and as a professional, your dress sense should be smart at all times. When you project a positive business appearance by wearing professional attire, you will come across as a serious businessperson. You don’t have to wear designer business clothing to work everyday to dress for success. The aim is to focus on wearing clothing that’s neat in appearance and that meets or even exceeds the requirements set forth in your company’s dress code but not in competition with anyone. It’s important to pay detailed attention to your appearance when you’re meeting with prospective customers or clients.
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Communications Etiquette
This has to do with the way you pass information. Etiquette is centered upon respecting your circumstances and those people around you. Whether it is through phone calls, emails, written correspondence, etc, a professional knows how to respond appropriately. Keep your letters concise, less ambiguous, and to the point. Your tone should be polite and formal without being “stuffy.” When making calls try not to dominate the conversation and listen intently to the other party, likewise during board meetings, trainings and interviews. Focus on being respectful when interacting with your coworkers, superiors and prospective customers whether you like them or not and even when you may not be having a good day.
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Organizational Skills
Organization is a core principle of professionalism that cannot be stressed enough. When you have mastered the art of organization, you will not only be productive on the job but you’ll feel better as you won’t be constantly under stress to complete projects and meet deadlines. Employees with good organizational skills are productive, make better impressions on their superiors and receive more promotions than their disorganized counterparts. When your work area is neat and clean and you’re able to do your work as expected because you’ve prioritized your assignments so they’re done on time, you will show others that you are a professional who takes your job seriously. In short, you’ll earn respect by demonstrating and maintaining professional-level organizational habits.
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Accountability
Professionals take responsibility for their actions at all times. Once a mistake has been done, own up to it and try to fix it if possible. Don’t try to push the blame on a colleague or a circumstance. If your company made the mistake, take responsibility and work to resolve the issue. Be honest. This is a virtue highly prized by employers and colleagues, for it builds trust and increases your personal value to all.
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Competence
Professionals strive to become experts in their field, which sets them apart from the rest of the pack. This can mean continuing your education by taking courses, attending seminars and attaining any related professional designations. Be competent and improve continually; competence is the ability of an individual to do a job properly, it is a combination of knowledge, skills and behavior used to improve performance. Competency grows through experience and to the extent one is willing to learn and adapt. Continuous self development is a prerequisite in offering professional service at all times.
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Charisma
Your appearance and carriage should exude confidence but not cockiness. Be polite and well-spoken whether you’re interacting with customers, superiors or co-workers. You need to keep your calm, even during tense situations. During challenging times, let your emotions not sink deep into your work. Do not resort to an ill-mannered way back to a client or colleague who treats you in such a manner.
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Ethics
Always be ethical; ethical behavior is acting within certain moral codes in accordance with the generally accepted code of conduct or rules. It is always safe for an employee to “play by the rules”. This is always the best policy.Even if your company or industry doesn’t have a written code, you can set moral standards for yourself and act on it. You should display ethical behavior at all times.
Be dedicated. You can be dedicated to your job without being married to it, so to speak. You can show up each day on time dressed appropriately, do your job well and avoid those common workplace pitfalls like gossip and sharing your personal problems with coworkers. Be Reliable, Be Punctual, Be Trustworthy, Be Respectful, Be Courteous, As a professional, you will be counted on to find a way to get the job done. Responding to people promptly and following through on promises in a timely manner is also important, as this demonstrates reliability. of commitment toward your job and of professionalism in general.
Set good examples; applying the foregoing rules helps you improve your professionalism within your organization but it is not complete until you impact knowledge on those around and below you.
Amarachic 