PROFESSIONALISM one of the most common word we use in current scenario..but still I am not able to get a clear defination for this word.
I asked with alot of people but unfortunatley no one was able to give satisfactory answere.
People say getting salary in cheque or bank, working on latest technolgies or sitting in hi tech office is professionalism but I am not satisfied.
I request all CiteHR Members to give your comments on this or do let me know what is the right defination of Professionalism.
From Nigeria, Lagos
27I asked with alot of people but unfortunatley no one was able to give satisfactory answere.
People say getting salary in cheque or bank, working on latest technolgies or sitting in hi tech office is professionalism but I am not satisfied.
I request all CiteHR Members to give your comments on this or do let me know what is the right defination of Professionalism.
From Nigeria, Lagos
Hey,
According to me adding on to what dhamis' said. Professionalism is balancing the personnel and professional life. Professionlism means to be practical in life.One who has skills, knowledge and attitude & uses them is called a professional. The attitude which a professional shows is called as professionalism.
Hope U find it little convencing !
Thanks
Gurleen
From India, New Delhi
According to me adding on to what dhamis' said. Professionalism is balancing the personnel and professional life. Professionlism means to be practical in life.One who has skills, knowledge and attitude & uses them is called a professional. The attitude which a professional shows is called as professionalism.
Hope U find it little convencing !
Thanks
Gurleen
From India, New Delhi
Hi Sujeet ,
Hope this will clear the definition of professionalism.
To start with let us agree on something -- just because one is a professional, he or she automatically does not exhibit professionalism.
A very general, raw idea of professionalism is a bundle of the following concepts: a focussed approach, pride in what one is doing, confident, competent, motivation towards a particular goal, accountability, respect for people irrespective of rank, status and gender, responsibility while on the path to a particular goal, commitment to word and deed, control of emotions - well, you are beginning to get the idea now.
Basically it all boils down to where you leave out emotional upheavals and stay focussed on the issue no matter what the issue is or how stressful and trying a situation turns out to be.
Cool as a cucumber, grace under pressure, while keeping the total focus on what one is supposed to be doing and accomplishing.
You will be exhibiting professionalism if you:
Base business related interactions to facts, figures and purely on the logic and understanding of the situation at hand.
Do not get carried away by the passion of the moment.
Emotions vary by individual sensibilities and of course, cultures.
So stay focussed and keep bringing the person gently back on the issues. Otherwise you will lose complete control over yourself and the situation.
A business interaction has a purpose and a goal. An excessive amount of jocularity of "kidding around'' will be seen as flippant.
That does not mean that you pack up your natural sense of humour. Be mindful of when you are crossing the line. There is a tasteful limit to everything.
The ideal is a combination of light humour, where and when appropriate with a complete seriousness to moving towards the goal that is demanded of the interaction.
Understand your "corporate culture'' and function within its parameters.
Every business must set forth, not only to develop its own identity but also make sure that it is understood and translated in behaviour by the employees.
All the corporate policies otherwise will remain just that, policies on paper.
Understand how to treat superiors, peers and subordinates with the utmost courtesy and in the proper accepted norms.
That will differentiate you from the rest by giving the cutting edge advantage.
More than your technical expertise and academic accomplishments you will be remembered and admired for your strict codes of conduct in your interactions.
Accept the fact that you are there to accomplish a definite task and that should be done with complete integrity, commitment and pride in your job.
This is just the raw data to get you started. The whole concept of professionalism can be very confusing with so many concepts going into it.
It is not something that is measured in any test where you are given scores. It is there in a very subtle way making a statement about you and others are constantly taking down notes on you. For starters, stick with all the ideas given here and you should be able to survive any professional situation with great professionalism! Best of luck!
From India, New Delhi
Hope this will clear the definition of professionalism.
To start with let us agree on something -- just because one is a professional, he or she automatically does not exhibit professionalism.
A very general, raw idea of professionalism is a bundle of the following concepts: a focussed approach, pride in what one is doing, confident, competent, motivation towards a particular goal, accountability, respect for people irrespective of rank, status and gender, responsibility while on the path to a particular goal, commitment to word and deed, control of emotions - well, you are beginning to get the idea now.
Basically it all boils down to where you leave out emotional upheavals and stay focussed on the issue no matter what the issue is or how stressful and trying a situation turns out to be.
Cool as a cucumber, grace under pressure, while keeping the total focus on what one is supposed to be doing and accomplishing.
You will be exhibiting professionalism if you:
Base business related interactions to facts, figures and purely on the logic and understanding of the situation at hand.
Do not get carried away by the passion of the moment.
Emotions vary by individual sensibilities and of course, cultures.
So stay focussed and keep bringing the person gently back on the issues. Otherwise you will lose complete control over yourself and the situation.
A business interaction has a purpose and a goal. An excessive amount of jocularity of "kidding around'' will be seen as flippant.
That does not mean that you pack up your natural sense of humour. Be mindful of when you are crossing the line. There is a tasteful limit to everything.
The ideal is a combination of light humour, where and when appropriate with a complete seriousness to moving towards the goal that is demanded of the interaction.
Understand your "corporate culture'' and function within its parameters.
Every business must set forth, not only to develop its own identity but also make sure that it is understood and translated in behaviour by the employees.
All the corporate policies otherwise will remain just that, policies on paper.
Understand how to treat superiors, peers and subordinates with the utmost courtesy and in the proper accepted norms.
That will differentiate you from the rest by giving the cutting edge advantage.
More than your technical expertise and academic accomplishments you will be remembered and admired for your strict codes of conduct in your interactions.
Accept the fact that you are there to accomplish a definite task and that should be done with complete integrity, commitment and pride in your job.
This is just the raw data to get you started. The whole concept of professionalism can be very confusing with so many concepts going into it.
It is not something that is measured in any test where you are given scores. It is there in a very subtle way making a statement about you and others are constantly taking down notes on you. For starters, stick with all the ideas given here and you should be able to survive any professional situation with great professionalism! Best of luck!
From India, New Delhi
Hi friends
I would like to add what Gurleen said... but i may express my views more elaborately..
Professionalism is all about attitude towards ur work i.e. the dedication, sincerity with which u approach to ur work, the work which makes u earns money like if someone prepare food with full dedication and sincerity and earn money we call him/her what a prefessional she or he is, but the same person prepare food in house we call him/her good home maker... what u guys say????
From India, Vadodara
I would like to add what Gurleen said... but i may express my views more elaborately..
Professionalism is all about attitude towards ur work i.e. the dedication, sincerity with which u approach to ur work, the work which makes u earns money like if someone prepare food with full dedication and sincerity and earn money we call him/her what a prefessional she or he is, but the same person prepare food in house we call him/her good home maker... what u guys say????
From India, Vadodara
Dear Sujeet,
About 6-7 years ago former Corporate VP(HR) of Wipro Technologies Mr Dileep Ranjekar use to write a column in Times of India on every Thursday. In one of the columns, he had handled this topic - "What is Professionalism?"
I don't remember everything about the article. The few things that I remember about article are:
a) Professionalism is anything done with lot of common sense. Professionalism starts with common sense.
b) Professionalism is something that is done with end result in mind. If you look back, at 20% of our time is just wasted because we are not certain what to do with the outcome of that activity.
c) Professionalism is something that is done with lot of planning. (how many HR professionals read CV of the candidate before calling the candidate for interview? Are the CV-specific questions kept ready? Not many times.)
d) Professionalism is something where person shows his/her forward thinking.
If I remember any more points, I will add them later.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
+ 91
dineshdivekar(at)yahoo.com
From India, Bangalore
About 6-7 years ago former Corporate VP(HR) of Wipro Technologies Mr Dileep Ranjekar use to write a column in Times of India on every Thursday. In one of the columns, he had handled this topic - "What is Professionalism?"
I don't remember everything about the article. The few things that I remember about article are:
a) Professionalism is anything done with lot of common sense. Professionalism starts with common sense.
b) Professionalism is something that is done with end result in mind. If you look back, at 20% of our time is just wasted because we are not certain what to do with the outcome of that activity.
c) Professionalism is something that is done with lot of planning. (how many HR professionals read CV of the candidate before calling the candidate for interview? Are the CV-specific questions kept ready? Not many times.)
d) Professionalism is something where person shows his/her forward thinking.
If I remember any more points, I will add them later.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
+ 91
dineshdivekar(at)yahoo.com
From India, Bangalore
Hi all, Hope the following attempt also helps in defining professionalism:
A 'true' professional must be proficient in all criteria for the field of work he/she is practicing professionally in. Criteria include following:
From United Kingdom, London
A 'true' professional must be proficient in all criteria for the field of work he/she is practicing professionally in. Criteria include following:
- The highest academic qualifications - i.e., university college/institute
- Expert and specialized knowledge in field which one is practicing professionally
- Excellent manual/practical & literary skills in relation to profession
- High quality work in (examples): creations, products, services, presentations, consultancy, primary/other research, administrative, marketing or other work endeavours
- A high standard of professional ethics, behaviour and work activities while carrying out one's profession (as an employee, self-employed person, career, enterprise, business, company, or partnership/associate/colleague, etc.)
- Also taking into consideration natural & harnessed talents integrated & used with qualifications & when doing work in professional capacity. These talents/skills are just as important in any forms of work be it paid, unpaid, volunteer, domestic jobs or any other work.
From United Kingdom, London
"The Professional Man " - i jotted this down a few years back from the corridors of mumbai's KEM hospital - may be to share it here.
--------------------------------------------------------------
THE PROFESSIONAL MAN
The Professional man is in essence one who provides service. It is a service that wells up from the entire complex of his personality. True, some specialised and highly developed techniques may be included, but their mode of expression is given its meaning by the personality of the practitioner. In a very real sense his professional services cannot be separate from his personal being. He has no goods to sell no land to till; his only asset is himself. It turns out there is no right price for serivce, for what is a share of a mans worth. If he does not contain the quality of integrity he is worthless. If he does he is priceless. The value is either nothing or it is infinite.
So do not set a price on yourselves. Do not measure out your professional services on an apothecary’s scale and say “Only this for so much”. Do not debase yourselves by equating your souls to what they will bring in the Market. Do not be a miser, hoarding your talents and abilities and knowledge either among yourselves or in your dealings with your clients, vendors, patients or flock. Rather be reckless and spendthrift, pouring out your talent to all to whom it can be of service. Throw it away; waste it as only in the spending it can be of service. Do not censor your thoughts to gain a wider audience. Like LOVE, Talent is useful only in its expenditure and is never exhausted.
Certain it is – that Man must eat so set what price you must on your service. But never confuse the performance which is great with the compensation be it money power or fame which is Trivial.
From China
--------------------------------------------------------------
THE PROFESSIONAL MAN
The Professional man is in essence one who provides service. It is a service that wells up from the entire complex of his personality. True, some specialised and highly developed techniques may be included, but their mode of expression is given its meaning by the personality of the practitioner. In a very real sense his professional services cannot be separate from his personal being. He has no goods to sell no land to till; his only asset is himself. It turns out there is no right price for serivce, for what is a share of a mans worth. If he does not contain the quality of integrity he is worthless. If he does he is priceless. The value is either nothing or it is infinite.
So do not set a price on yourselves. Do not measure out your professional services on an apothecary’s scale and say “Only this for so much”. Do not debase yourselves by equating your souls to what they will bring in the Market. Do not be a miser, hoarding your talents and abilities and knowledge either among yourselves or in your dealings with your clients, vendors, patients or flock. Rather be reckless and spendthrift, pouring out your talent to all to whom it can be of service. Throw it away; waste it as only in the spending it can be of service. Do not censor your thoughts to gain a wider audience. Like LOVE, Talent is useful only in its expenditure and is never exhausted.
Certain it is – that Man must eat so set what price you must on your service. But never confuse the performance which is great with the compensation be it money power or fame which is Trivial.
From China
Dear Srini,
Your list is quite good one but I strongly disagree on very first point. Professionalism has nothing to do with academic qualifications. In my careers I often found IIMs or PHDs goofing up that a person with average common sense would not have goofed up.
Secondly, there is yet another danger of higher qualification - it breeds arrogance too. You will find very few who are well qualified and still humble.
Thirdly, higher qualification may lead to lack of learning attitude. These people often rely on their intellectual fat and lead sometimes a life of intellectual potato.
Bill Gates and Dhirubhai Ambani are the excellent examples of professionals who were not at all academically strong when they started their career.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Your list is quite good one but I strongly disagree on very first point. Professionalism has nothing to do with academic qualifications. In my careers I often found IIMs or PHDs goofing up that a person with average common sense would not have goofed up.
Secondly, there is yet another danger of higher qualification - it breeds arrogance too. You will find very few who are well qualified and still humble.
Thirdly, higher qualification may lead to lack of learning attitude. These people often rely on their intellectual fat and lead sometimes a life of intellectual potato.
Bill Gates and Dhirubhai Ambani are the excellent examples of professionals who were not at all academically strong when they started their career.
Thanks,
Dinesh V Divekar
From India, Bangalore
Hi,
It is more to do with how one
- conducts him / her self
- handles transactions
- attitude
- assume responsibility or take ownership
- creates a win-win situation
& This is nothing to do with the qualification:!:
From India, Madras
It is more to do with how one
- conducts him / her self
- handles transactions
- attitude
- assume responsibility or take ownership
- creates a win-win situation
& This is nothing to do with the qualification:!:
From India, Madras
Hi Sujeet,
I think what do you mean here as professionalism is - who is a professional? and who can qualify to be a professional? If my understanding of your query is right, then i would like to reproduce an article by L Ron Hubbard:
Are You a Professional?* - L. Ron Hubbard
A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.
A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.
A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.
A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.
A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.
A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.
A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.
A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is
surrounded by unfinished work piled on unfinished work.
A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.
A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.
A professional faces up to other people's upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others' problems.
A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness,
interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger,
hostility, resentment, fear, victim.
A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.
A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.
A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur
produces medium-to-low quality product or service.
A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it's
unfair.
A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.
The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a Professional.
Hope this helped you in understanding your query in a better way.
Please keep posting.'
Cheeers !!!
Baskaran
From India, Hyderabad
I think what do you mean here as professionalism is - who is a professional? and who can qualify to be a professional? If my understanding of your query is right, then i would like to reproduce an article by L Ron Hubbard:
Are You a Professional?* - L. Ron Hubbard
A professional learns every aspect of the job. An amateur skips the learning process whenever possible.
A professional carefully discovers what is needed and wanted. An amateur assumes what others need and want.
A professional looks, speaks and dresses like a professional. An amateur is sloppy in appearance and speech.
A professional keeps his or her work area clean and orderly. An amateur has a messy, confused or dirty work area.
A professional is focused and clear-headed. An amateur is confused and distracted.
A professional does not let mistakes slide by. An amateur ignores or hides mistakes.
A professional jumps into difficult assignments. An amateur tries to get out of difficult work.
A professional completes projects as soon as possible. An amateur is
surrounded by unfinished work piled on unfinished work.
A professional remains level-headed and optimistic. An amateur gets upset and assumes the worst.
A professional handles money and accounts very carefully. An amateur is sloppy with money or accounts.
A professional faces up to other people's upsets and problems. An amateur avoids others' problems.
A professional uses higher emotional tones: Enthusiasm, cheerfulness,
interest, contentment. An amateur uses lower emotional tones: anger,
hostility, resentment, fear, victim.
A professional persists until the objective is achieved. An amateur gives up at the first opportunity.
A professional produces more than expected. An amateur produces just enough to get by.
A professional produces a high-quality product or service. An amateur
produces medium-to-low quality product or service.
A professional earns high pay. An amateur earns low pay and feels it's
unfair.
A professional has a promising future. An amateur has an uncertain future.
The first step to making yourself a professional is to decide you ARE a Professional.
Hope this helped you in understanding your query in a better way.
Please keep posting.'
Cheeers !!!
Baskaran
From India, Hyderabad
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