the professional essay

the professional essay

The Importance of Professionalism in the Workplace

1. Introduction to Professionalism

Professionalism in the workplace is not a single set of attributes, rather a portfolio of competencies that a person develops in order to meet the unique demands of their profession or discipline. Professional development is a lifelong process that extends beyond graduation from university and into one’s career. More specifically, graduates should be trained in the specialized skills required by employers, including critical thinking, problem-solving, teamwork, and strong communication skills. Leaders focus on the welfare of their colleagues rather than solely on their own self-interest. Mentoring and continuous learning are integral elements of a professional’s lifelong commitment to growth and development.

In today’s challenging and competitive business environment, it can be difficult to establish and maintain expectations for how individuals represent themselves and behave in the workplace. The term “professionalism” can be difficult to define but is easy to recognize when someone is truly professional. A functional and productive workplace depends on strong workforce attributes, including a commitment to professionalism. Especially in professional services, individuals become the face of the company. Professionalism does not come naturally; rather, it evolves through application of the best practices for work ethic and behavior, education, effectiveness and efficiency, continuous learning and self-improvement.

2. Key Characteristics of Professionalism

Specialized Knowledge – demonstrating a commitment to high standards; improving your ability to be an expert in your field. Competency – always be professional and positive; show forgiveness/grace when we all do not meet the high standards we have set; follow directions. Honesty and Integrity – being able to be trusted, as your opinion can make a big difference in the lives of others. Self-Regulation – be willing to give up power for the good of others. Supporting and celebrating the collective success as well as accomplishments. Accountability – resources as employees to help ensure their professional development, to ensure their continued ability. Good Attitude – being positive and taking appropriate work, at the right time regardless of a “required” amount. Maintain a good sense of humor. Adaptability – is being willing to learn, to change and be open to new ideas. Be creative and innovative to find better solutions. Heed a call based on your intuitive nature—a call to take action. Passion – be passionate about your work. Engaging in your professional life can make your life better. Focus a continuing passion for their work – even when you’ve had many failures. A greatly respected and influential source, that company manifests such passion. Recognize Talent and Respect Others – Recognize the life-work balanced; the majority of productive and effective employees come from them. In truth, valued individuals can help the majority of others understand what that looks like. This would be a wise return on investment. Social Responsibility – Give back to the community by being a part of the community. Find a meaningful way to be part of an organization that is a parallel. A deep commitment to a better way of life can be said for us all!

In developing a strategy to professionalize your work environment, it is helpful to know some of the key characteristics of professionalism. Below are the characteristics of professionalism that should be incorporated into an organizational workplace.

Professionalism is the conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. While professionalizing in many areas is associated with a set of standards of behavior and general demeanor, in a world that is becoming more global, professionalizing involves education, skills, ethics for the workforce, and appropriate attitudes for employees in every company. Professionalism implicates the implementation and management by the provider, manufacturer, or company after the sale of a product, service or system. We all need help in behaving in a professional manner, defined by our company, when learning to manage these various situations. We learn what the expectations are and the agreed-upon terms of engagement and delivery.

3. Benefits of Professionalism in the Workplace

Professionalism builds loyalty to the organization within the workplace. Walking the fine line between professional and overly friendly forces one to always demonstrate the highest professional standards and have a positive foot forward. When one leaves the company, it attracts other potential employees. These people can even talk up how great the company is for how professional it is in both the interview and to others. They then get the new people in the company that believe that they are of the same professional standard. It will continue the cycle. Employees will feel better about their organization if they believe the organization is respected and of high standards. If people respect their employer, they are more likely to say positive things about the company and encourage others to also seek employment.

Productivity is essential to the success of any organization. Professionalism at the workplace is therefore a key to achieving workplace goals. If you are keen on maintaining high professional standards and fostering a professional attitude in your office, you will view conflicts as opportunities to promote understanding, not as warfare. You will share information openly, communicate at all times, and discipline yourself to resist the urge to impulsively defend your power base. You will hold people accountable for their actions and promises without being heavy-handed or abrasive about it. It is by conducting yourself in this way that you can meet your responsibilities and obligations to your organization, your job, and yourself in a complete and professional manner. Good relationships and good business go hand in hand.

4. Challenges to Maintaining Professionalism

The fact is that an individual’s commitment to ongoing education and personal improvement is part and parcel of being a true professional. However, a serious commitment to ongoing education should be expected on one’s own time and on one’s own dime or be transmitted as a message of disloyalty. The fact is that professionals as a group can be under extraordinary stress, often because of responsibilities. However, there is no excuse for acting as if you expected others to cater to your every whim and forgive lapses in responsibility when you are under pressure. Rapidly changing economic conditions can be daunting, particularly when educational credentials that once meant job security no longer apply. The education and skills that helped create your job can become obsolete in the society we live in today.

Personal factors, such as everyday stressors from home and social interactions, can feed into your ability to maintain professionalism while on the job. Building professionalism is an achievement that isn’t easily reached. It can be lost through a single serious breach of trust or broken down bit by bit, day by day, through a pattern of neglected responsibilities, disinterest in coworkers’ personal and professional capabilities, and lack of attention to dress and grooming. Many companies give lip service to education but turn their backs on its support when it comes time to delegate or promote those who are sincerely interested in education and other professional development activities. In fact, the reverse is often true. Although education can bolster one’s professional image, today it can be improperly viewed as a threat rather than an asset.

5. Strategies for Cultivating and Sustaining Professionalism

The process of establishing and maintaining such a structure can be supported by strategies inspired by systems thinking and organizational studies. Work with systems examines how the disparate elements of a whole can work together effectively. At the organizational level, this focus ensures that the interests of individuals, the subunits to which they belong, and the school, as one of many educational institutions, are in harmony. In contrast to holistic thinking, organizational studies differentiate these interests, ensuring that the educator’s responsibility to guide student learning through the established curriculum is recognized and acknowledged. They also make use of self-regulating principles whenever possible so that both students and their educators can effectively manage their responsibilities.

In addressing the various demands of professionalism, most educators focus on the “art” of teaching, embracing a variety of instructional and relational strategies designed to foster student maturity and personal responsibility. While these strategies reflect teachers’ commitments and personal standards, there are also more whole-school investigations and programs that embrace the center of personal growth and student autonomy. Numerous popular programs include the Responsive Classroom, which emphasizes a caring, respectful, and trusting community; and Step Up to Writing, which identifies the Warn-Model as an instructional method that is both powerful and predictable for students. However, as these programs are designed to enhance the center of personal behavior, with particular attention paid to students’ needs and interests, a lack of attention is devoted to the boundaries that frame learning, and schooling. Yet, boundaries are needed to provide students with a predictable structure for learning, behavior, and ethics, so that teachers may encourage the best of their free choice.