Just before the Christmas break, Nexplica posted a great article about what it means to be a professional. At the very least, it gets you thinking about the word and how we use it. And at most, it serves as a checklist for how we should act in our daily work lives. Read on:
Many, many people refer to themselves as professionals. You can’t blame them. After all, who wouldn’t want to be a professional? It’s a really strong word, with only positive connotations. But it’s also kind of vague. What is a professional? Is it someone who’s really good at their job, like a professional stuntman? It someone who just does something for a living versus recreationally, like a professional hockey player? Is it someone who takes their job really seriously? Is it all of these things? More?
Some good examples of what being a “professional” is.
- Professionals return your calls and reply to your emails promptly.
- Professionals follow through when they say they’re going to do something.
- Professionals are on time for meetings, calls and everything.
- Professionals are polite and pleasant to talk with.
- Professionals don’t BS you because they know BS is a total waste of time.
- Professionals know their stuff inside out and back again.
- Professionals know that if they don’t know, they should just be honest and tell you so.
- Professionals listen with an open mind so that they can better understand.
- Professionals give advice for free and don’t expect anything in return.
- Professionals will be disappointed with you if you’re not being fair with them in business.
- Professionals don’t nickel and dime people.
- Professionals know how to say no in a delicate way that explains their position and the reason behind the no.
- Professionals say yes when it makes sense, and not because it’s easier or because it avoids conflict.
- Professionals don’t behave in a way that requires an apology afterwards.
- Professionals don’t use being busy as an excuse, because everyone’s busy.
- Professionals deliver on what was agreed upon.
- Professionals don’t overpromise: they agree to do what was agreed upon then make sure to do that or more.
- Professionals communicate in a clear, succinct and respectful fashion.
- Professionals are able to back up statements with concrete examples.
- Professionals have a finely attuned sense of urgency and understand when something is urgent for someone else.
- Professionals appreciate the fact that although they know a lot about their stuff, they don’t know as much as you know about your stuff.
- Professionals don’t hesitate when they need to support someone on short notice.
- Professionals never charge for something that should be free.
- Professionals understand that fair pay is due for fair work and pay the people who work for them as soon as cash flow permits.
- Professionals know that they have to continue being professional after the job is done
