Being professional is the most important thing about work life. Professionalism helps a person gain trust from his or her colleagues and the employer. It also makes a person’s work organized and more referrals from the happy clients. Professionalism is high ethical standards and integrity in one’s work. It also means attaining high levels of efficiency in the delivery of the allocated duties to ensure competency and reliability. This is normally acquired by seeking to advance career and improve the relevant skills. Though people experience bad days sometimes, a professional should not take the bad moods to his or her working station and more so to the clients. During hard times, making the best out of a situation should be the best alternative and always try to be positive (Fair brother & Yates, 2013, p. 87). A person should be ready to own his or her mistakes and try his or her best to correct them instead of blaming other people. Being late for meetings and appointments give the employer’s impression that one does not care about the work. To avoid giving such impressions, one should make being on time his or her priority, including returning from lunch and tea breaks. Switching off the phone or putting it in silent mode during a meeting to avoid unnecessary disruptions. Dressing professionally is modest and conservative clothing that reflects a more formal attire that is acceptable at the workplace (Fairholm, 1996, p.54). For example, casual attires might be acceptable in office settings, but a business suit or dress implies that a person is there for business and not to relax. For a person to look professional, he or she should wear conservative shoes and dress. Being reliable to the clients and the co-workers, deliver the expected service on time and always be ready to give a helping hand to your fellow workers when they need your assistance or your expertise. To ensure a professional communication, a person should maintain eyes contact and practice a solid handshake. Articulate clearly listen attentively and remain poised if others challenge one’s ideas. Time being a non-renewable resource and a factor of productions means that professionals should make good use of it in order to optimize production. Having a calendar on one’s desk or computer to note deadlines and appointments will ensure a good time management. In addition, the peoples in authority should lead by example and be good role models to the others. Learn to fight fairly by explaining your points without a show of anger or emotions. No matter how compelling the argument is, maintain control at all times because it is inevitable that there will be other co-workers who might have a contrary opinion. If the argument persists, professionalism is being ready to walk away if the other person cannot be swayed or when he/she begins to lose control (Beckett & Hager, 2013, p.7). Learn to appreciate the work of the fellow colleagues when they perform exemplary and cheer them up when they are down. Dishonesty has never made a person look good, whether calling in sick or lying on one’s resume. Professionalism is being upfront if one has to apply for a job that requires more that his or her qualifications he or she should submit his honest qualifications, and then explain why he/she is the best for the post. Being judicious on sharing personal matters in the office is of importance, if one needs to share his or her personal issues with a co-worker, they should do it away from clients or customers while ensuring that it does not interfere with work.
References
Beckett, D., & Hager, P. (2013). Life, work and learning. Routledge. Kultgen, J. (2011). Ethics and professionalism. University of Pennsylvania Press.Dias, P., Freedman, A., Medway, P., & Par, A. (2013). Worlds apart: Acting and writing in academic and workplace contexts. Routledge. Fairholm, G. W. (1996). Spiritual leadership: Fulfilling whole-self needs at work. Leadership & Organization Development Journal, 17(5), 11-17.Fairbrother, P., & Yates, C. (Eds.). (2013). Trade unions in renewal: A comparative study. Routledge.
