subject: Professionalism Redefined by Babu Thomas, Head HR GVK EMRI [print this page] Professionalism Redefined by Babu Thomas, Head HR GVK EMRI
PROFESSIONALISM Re-Defined
Babu Thomas
Many people find it difficult to explain the true meaning of "professionalism". Quite often we refer to a person or organization as "professional" for inappropriate reason. An individual is often referred as professional for he is professionally qualified. Similarly, organizations are often branded as professional for their palatial campus or hi-tech office. In a recent Knowledge Forum in my organization many participants expressed their lack of a definitive understanding of professionalism in their workplace. Though, they all are able to articulate why they enjoy working in some organizations and why not in others, they needed an assistance to understand it is nothing but professionalism makes the difference.
To my knowledge, the word "professionalism" and "professional" are among the most misused or misunderstood terminology in today's managerial context. Organizations use the term to keep the emotion away in the decision making, superiors use it to keep their subordinate away from them or to criticize them, individuals use professionalism as " a facade to cover their lack of ability to perform their job effectively, another few to justify their inappropriate lust for money and inhuman tendencies etc. So.me use it for intimidation to gain power. Still others use it as a way to impress the unknowing. However, it seems that very few individuals use it for its original intent---to provide a foundation for effective leadership and efficient, methodical performance with honesty, ownership, responsibility, strategy and focus."
A modest attempt is made here to solve the impasse and to come out with some visible attributes or standards of a professional person or organization.
Professionalism has many levels and is handled many different ways. You might find that what one person sees as being professional, another would see otherwise. This can cause considerable confusion for someone trying to define professionalism in their own career. But, the one point to keep in mind is that the core definition of professionalism is always the same.
An organization is never classified as Professional by creating a palatial campus or large food court or health club or automating its activities. Its values, visible energy and vibrancy, honesty of purpose, care for its people and society, transparency in systems, freedom to operate and degree of delegation, presence of distributed ownership make all the difference. An organization is said to be professional when they hire professionals and permit them to operate with freedom and able to create an environment enthused by distributed ownership and inclusive growth.
Business suits do not define professionalism; however, the professional situation defines which clothes you should wear. Whether it is casual day or formal day in your office, you must dress to look your part. How you look demonstrates how you feel and will define how people see your professional being, inside and out.
Merriam-Webster's defines professionalism as a "set of attitudes and behaviors believed to be appropriate to a particular occupation." Then the question comes, what are those attitudes and behavior generally appropriate for a person or an organization said to be professional.
" A medical journal described professionalism among medicos as "constituting those attitudes and behavior that serve to maintain patient interest above [physician] self-interest," and "displaying values, beliefs and attitudes that put the needs of another above your personal needs. In a managerial context, the word patient may be replaced with organization and physician to manager.
A general macro definition of professionalism is, "a focused, passionate, accountable, confident, competent, value based motivation towards a particular goal, with respect for hierarchy and humanity, with balanced emotion." What this means is that you leave out the outbursts and emotional thralls that accompany stressful situations and success. You maintain focus, with a sense of urgency, and accept responsibility on a path toward a specific goal. In the process, you maintain integrity, passion, respect for your superiors, peers, and subordinates as well as respect them as human beings.
If a professional situation seems to be turning against you, may be you are not behaving in a professional manner. As noted at the beginning of this article, the definition varies, but by staying near the broad macro definition of professionalism, you should be able to survive just about any professional situation.
I worked in an organization for few years where a Sales Manager was fired on the proven charge of sexual harassment at a time he was negotiating for breakthrough business opportunity. I remember the CEO while asking me to fly down to Hyderabad for completing his separation formalities, told the agitated National Sales Head "if I allow him to continue I will lose the confidence and respect of rest 850 employees, else, I may lose some critical business opportunity in the short run, I prefer the later."
I had personal Driver for 3 years, whom I remember always when I talk on this topic. A young boy named Anand. Besides his flawless driving, he had practiced high degree of honesty and enviable etiquettes. He never speaks while driving except giving answers of my questions. He had never interfered while discussing with colleagues traveling with me, which is a general behavior of other drivers. He never carried any "news" that he happened to hear while driving me office or back home. He maintained a log book with all details of trips which made me to claim my official travel bill rightly and also made me to know the average my vehicle gave me. He maintained my vehicle with absolute care and kept the preventive services as per schedule. He planned his leave in advance generally when I am out of the city.
He never mixed any of his personal or emotional things with his profession. He was an example for me for many of my sessions. He left the job gracefully after discussing with me for a better opportunity. When he left the job he owed me some money , balance of a two wheeler advance given to him. Though, I never asked that money back, this gentleman, unlike other drivers, came back to my home after a week's time and settled his dues. While leaving my home he touched my feet and took an unplanned blessing from me. For me he was an absolute professional.
In both the above instances I see professionalism in its high order.
I tried to connect the attributes that the definition reflects to each letter of the word "PROFESSIONALISM" making it very close to the core concept I intent to convey.
P Passionate, Performing, Planned, Proactive, Patient, Participative, Positive, probity
O- Open, Objective, Outstanding, Optimizing, and Optimistic.
F Focused, Fair Practices, Freedom, Future Vision, Fearless, Fulfill commitments.
E Ethical, Empowering, Empathetic, Excellence, Encouraging, Emotional Balance
S System oriented, Space for all to grow, Supporting.
S- Sharing, Strategic, sustaining, sense of humor
I Integrity, Involving, Innovative, Inspiring.
O- Ownership sense, Original, oneness.
N- Non-political, neutral, Natural, Noble
A Action oriented, Achieving, Ambitious, Assertive, Approachable,
L- Learning, Leadership driven, Logical,
I Informative, impartial, Intelligent.
S- Structured, Succession planned, selfless.
M- Mission ready, Methodical, Meticulous.
Professionalism is a subjective term based on the above hidden set of standards. The standards are applicable to individuals and organizations if they intent to be branded as professional. If the organization or individual tries to manipulate, will definitely get exposed over a period of time when they fail to deliver in any of the above attribute.
"Professionalism is like beauty; it is hard to define but people know it when they see it". The projection of professionalism will make top notch employees want to work for you and it will help give potential clients the confidence to put their trust in you
Basically, the core of professionalism has to do more with who you are than with what you do. Professionalism tends to stand out among the crowd. They carry themselves more confidently, and are therefore more poised and purposeful in their actions. In essence, their positive attitude is showing and it does not take long for others to notice.
To make your professional transition easier, you can find that nearly every professional being has a core definition centered on the macro definition presented here. When dealing with a professional situation, stick with this basic definition and do not vary, as this will provide you with a safe basis from which to operate. As you gain confidence in your new professional being, you can vary it according to your experience, position, direction, and your corporate culture to advance your professional career.
- The writer is Head Human Resources at GVK EMRI, Gujarat
