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Path to professionalism
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Professionalism is striking a balance between task and people orientation
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AT A recent training session, a question that made everyone put his or her thinking cap on was:"What is professionalism?" The answers were varied but there seemed to be a lack of succinct understanding of the concept.
There was also a misconception that anyone who is in a profession, (a doctor or a lawyer) is a professional.
To start with, let us clarify something — just because one is in a profession, s/he automatically does not exhibit professionalism; by the same token, someone who exhibits professionalism need not necessarily be in any particular profession.
So, what is professionalism?
In a rudimentary sense, professionalism is all about the following conceptsexhibited through behaviour and attitude: a focussed approach, pride in what one is doing, confidence, competence, accountability, respect for people irrespective of rank, status and gender, responsibility while on the path to achieving a particular goal, commitment to word and deed, control of emotions, not compromising on rules and ethics while performing a task...
Basically, it boils down to staying focussed on the issue at hand. No matter what the provocation is and no matter how stressful a situation may be leave out emotional upheavals.
You will be exhibiting professionalism if you:
* Understand and accept the fact that you are there to accomplish a definite task. The completion of the task itself is done with integrity, commitment and pride.
* Base business-related interactions on facts, figures, logic and understanding of the situation.
* Listen with empathy. It helps you understand the situation and the person on the other side of the table.
* A business interaction has a purpose and a goal. Excessive jocularity or "kidding around" will be seen as flippant.
That does not mean that you forget your sense of humour. Be mindful of when you are crossing the line. There is a limit to everything. Be aware of the fact that humour that is not timely is seen as irreverence. Understand your "corporate culture" and function within its parameters. Every business must develop an identity. Make sure it is understood and translated into behaviour by the employees. All corporate policies otherwise will remain policies on paper.
* Understand how to treat superiors, peers and subordinates with courtesy.
The whole concept of professionalism can be very confusing. It is not something that can be measured or rated.
CHITRA DANGER
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