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Professionalism Essay | Essay on Professionalism and Importance of Professionalism at Work Essay

July 22, 2021 by Prasanna

Professionalism Essay: From a career perspective, professionalism is defined as the ability to consistently achieve high standards, on and off the job. However, the exact definition may vary according to different sectors or industries. For instance, maintaining proper professionalism might mean dressing appropriately for the job. In other industries, professionalism may refer to treating customers with respect – before and after-sales. It could also be something as simple as a policy for a social media platform. However, it is important to understand that professionalism does not mean following rules and regulations blindly. Instead, it refers to a set of values that are considered ethically and morally correct. Such values are never written down or formally expressed, but it is the duty of every employee to understand and follow the same.

Employers always seek professionalism in the workplace. However, the actual meaning of “professionalism” seems to vary according to industries and companies. So how does one define the term “professionalism?” Professionalism is not something that can be quantified – instead, it could be seen as a quality that every working professional is expected to have. Others may define professionalism as the ability to consistently achieve high standards in their specific field of work. Others suggest professionalism refers to specific workplace rules or policies – such as formal attire, policies on social media usage, punctuality, customer interaction etc. However, we can identify certain attributes and consider them as the pillars of professionalism. We shall explore these pillars in more detail.

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Knowledge: Keeping yourself updated with the latest and up-to-date knowledge is not just a preference but a necessity in today’s job market. Employers may also actively seek candidates with the latest industry knowledge rather than qualification. This is due to the fact that relevancy has more scope when compared to qualification. Moreover, employers, as well as the employees, need to understand every aspect of their business to ensure maximum productivity. Important facets of business include the design and processes of goods and/or services, the latest trends and industry practices, and awareness of the competitors and their actions.

Competence: One of the most important pillars of professionalism is competency. If your skills and abilities match the requirements of the job, you are said to be competent. Granted, competency does not come easy – it takes hard work and perseverance. Integrity: Integrity prevents you from compromising values that are upheld by your or the organization. This also implies that an employee is trustworthy and dependable.

Conscientiousness: Conscientiousness is a quality of wishing to do one’s tasks and responsibilities thoroughly. However, this does not imply working long hours mindlessly. This is because working long hours can quickly burn you out – causing an overall decline in productivity for that period. Instead, the primary focus must be to work smart and achieve targets consistently and effortlessly.

Respect: This is one of the most important pillars of professionalism. It implies that you respect other people’s values and uphold them through politeness and courtesy. Respecting not just your client, but also your peers goes a long way to building a stable career. It also ensures that there is no friction or other unwanted consequences in the workplace. There is also an age-old saying that states “earn respect by showing respect.” Hence, respect needs to be shown to other people regardless of differences or opinions.

Confidence: This is one of the primary factors that impact a person’s ability to lead and motivate others. Confidence does not come naturally to most. Instead, most will have to step out of their comfort zone and face their fears. It is also one of the most difficult things one can do in a professional setting. This is due to the fact that getting into a comfort zone is quite easy, and years would have passed without gaining any useful skills or achievements.

Emotional Intelligence: Staying calm and composed is integral in a work environment. Without a composed mind, it can be difficult to make sound decisions. Also, work pressure can negatively affect one’s life, hence, emotional intelligence is one of the pillars of professionalism. Emotional intelligence (EI)  also allows one to show empathy – which is the ability to understand how another person feels and experiences the world around them.  EI is also a crucial skill to build rapport, make friends and gain trust with other people in your organisation. To sum up, professional skills alone are not enough to grow in a corporate setting.

Strong Work Ethic: Employers do not usually tell what is wrong or right in most situations. However, one must be able to recognize the difference between the two and always choose the ethically correct route – even if doing so may not be favourable. Research has also shown that employees who are ethically positive and are driven by principles of fairness and decent tend to have increased morale and also showcase consistently better performance in the workplace. In the long run, companies with such types of employees can also improve their corporate image as well as their long-term success. In conclusion, professionalism is an important aspect that everyone should strive to adopt. It can ensure faster growth, richer work life and also impart important ethics and morals.

FAQ’s on Professionalism Essay

Question 1. What is Professionalism?

Answer: Professionalism is defined as the ability to consistently achieve high standards, on and off the job.

Question 2. What are the Pillars of Professionalism?

Answer: There are many pillars of professionalism the most important are:

• Strong Work Ethic
• Conscientiousness
• Emotional Intelligence

Question 3. What are the Characteristics of a Professional?

Answer: A professional must showcase the following characteristics to be successful in their career: Knowledge, confidence, strong work ethics, respect, conscientiousness, emotional intelligence and competence.

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Essay on Professionalism

Professionalism can be explained as the behavior or attitude of a particular person in a workplace. Being a professional only in specific things or your career does not make you a professional it also involves how you behave and act with others and how you handle situations in your business environment. Professionalism is not about what job you do it is about how you do it.

For professional environment some rules and some regulations should be set in order to avoid unprofessional behavior of any person. Professionalism is very essential for the worker’s self-confidence and wellness and whoever take this lightly then he / she should be punished for not maintaining professional environment and causing disturbance for others.

Professionalism is expected from you no matter what field you are in, whether you are in nursing, education or any other career they all requires interactions and dealing with the clients and you must be capable of such skills putting out all your positive experience.  Showing friendly behavior and warmness to your clients will make them trust you and as how it goes they will treat you the same as how you treat them.

Making your clients feel comfortable around you with your honesty, respect, and kindness and do not let them feel left out or be disrespectful to them as it will become more difficult for you to handle that situation. Being a professional also includes how you appear in front of them, people will judge you the way you look and expect such things accordingly for instance if you are dealing a client in nursing field they will expect you to be careful of cleanliness from and around you.

Your appearance shows how professional and serious a person is regarding his / her career hence choosing the right outfit for a workplace is necessary for making clients willing to work with you. Apart from perfect attire for a workplace, professionalism moreover involves skills that requires how you prioritize your tasks, responsibilities, how you communicate with your clients and your computer skills as the world is now mainly depends on the computerized environment.

You should also have basic knowledge of computer for database being utilized for billings and so on. Furthermore, your communication skills should be excellent and fluent as after your appearance it is the second most significant thing that leaves the impression to the clients which is totally up to you how you give your impression but remember that what impression you are giving to your clients is also reflecting your organization’s impression as well.

To sum up everything, professionalism is not just about your clothing, skills, advance degrees and so on although professionalism, morals, rules and responsibilities of a person, all these qualities are combined together for professional exercise. Professionalism does not mean you need to wear the perfect clothing or suite. Professionalism is about being respectful and confident, it is about when you know you have to give your best even when you do not feel like doing it.

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Redefining professionalism in the workplace

For Julius Erving, a basketball legend, professionalism in the workplace is simple.

“Being a professional is doing the things you love to do, on the days you don't feel like doing them.”  Julius Erving, basketball player 

In many ways, this quote still holds true in a fast-changing world . Pre-pandemic, our work and personal lives were more separate and divided. For the most part, we left work at work.  

But change has hit the world pretty hard, especially in the last few years. In-person meetings have switched to Zoom or virtual conference rooms. Slacks, button-down shirts, and nice dress shoes have been swapped for sweatpants and slippers.

But now, many of us are working remotely or in a hybrid workforce . The line between personal and work life is blurrier than ever. While the most visible changes might be our outfits on Zoom , the notion of professionalism in the workplace is shifting. 

After all, cats and kids are scattering across keyboards and computer screens. Some workers might be juggling getting their teenagers out the door for soccer practice while also presenting during a team meeting.

Partners, roommates, family members, and loved ones have all “entered” our office space, whether we like it or not. Employees are showing up as their whole selves at work. So when it comes to professionalism in the workplace, it’s evolving quickly. 

So, what does professionalism in the workplace look like today? What does it mean to be a professional in the workplace? 

In this article, we’ll explore: 

• What professionalism means, and how it’s changed over recent years
• How leaders can inspire greater professionalism in their teams  
• How companies can encourage employees to reach for higher levels of professionalism at work 

What is professionalism in the workplace? 

First, let’s define what we mean by professionalism.

What is professionalism in the workplace?

Professionalism in the workplace is when an employee: 

• Excels in the knowledge, skills, and behaviors required by their role;
• Delivers their work to the best of their abilities, even on tough days; 
• Goes above and beyond their job description; 
• Constantly looks for opportunities to grow and improve the organization – and themselves.

You’ll notice we don’t mention outfits or hairstyles. We don’t talk about appearance or physical ways of showing up at work. At BetterUp, we believe that every employee deserves to show up as their whole self. In order to do so, a deep sense of belonging and psychological safety must be established. And while professionalism might’ve once signaled high heels and pressed shirts, that’s no longer the case. For most companies, it boils down to these core principles. 

In fact, a viral social media campaign on LinkedIn has recently challenged what professionalism looks like in the workplace. Thousands of workers uploaded posts with #IAmProfessional to the career networking site. The content? Posts about who they are as people, not just employees. 

4 key indicators of professionalism

1. consistently exceeding expectations.

When we think of professionalism, we tend to think of the employee who goes way above the call of duty. For example, a colleague could hop on a Zoom call last minute to help solve a problem with another teammate. Or a leader could go above and beyond to make sure their employee is onboarded and up-to-speed in their role. Oftentimes, exceeding expectations comes with a healthy dose of learning as you go. 

To maintain a high level of professionalism, you need to be keen to learn and improve. True professionals don’t rest on their laurels. They seek ways to be better at their job or to make their organization a better place to work, every day. 

2. Creating an inclusive environment

True professionals don’t only stand out for their own excellence – they make it easier for those around them to excel too. 

To quote Lorie Corcuera, the head of Human Resources for DNEG : 

“Workplace professionalism is about creating a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment for everyone. It's about creating a culture of belonging where people feel they matter and belong. This includes creating a respectful workplace experience as an effective team member, having clear communication , ensuring people feel included, engaging and participating, and taking the time to know our fellow team members.” 

We’ve studied the impact of inclusive leadership on teams . In fact, we’ve found that employees are 50% more productive, 90% more innovative, and 150% more engaged. Inclusive leadership also results in 54% lower employee turnover.

3. Communicating effectively with teammates, customers, managers, and other stakeholders 

Professionalism involves making sure that everyone involved in your work has the information they need to succeed. Great professionals are also great communicators . 

For instance, true professionals don’t shy away from having difficult conversations . They will prioritize the good of the organization over their own discomfort. 

4. Demonstrating integrity and honesty 

Professionalism is more than a question of workplace performance–it also comes down to integrity in the workplace . True professionals don’t dabble in office politics , and they uphold the values of the organization they work for. 

For Tim Reitsma, the General Manager of People Managing People , professionalism comes down to how you behave, not how you look: 

“A professional workplace isn’t one where we are all dressed up in suits and ties (if that is still even a thing!) That’s merely the facade of professionalism. If there’s a culture of gossip, backstabbing, and constant distraction, I'd say there is a lack of professionalism, no matter what everyone’s wearing.”

How professionalism has changed over the years

Today’s employees are renegotiating what professionalism should mean, and abandoning some outdated thinking about what it means to “be professional.”

For instance, professionalism in the workplace is not: 

Conforming to traditional standards of appearance 

While many definitions of professionalism still refer to “neatness” and “dress code”, our ideas about what makes a professional has moved away from what people look like to how well they work.

Today, an unconventional appearance is more likely to be seen as a mark of success than as a sign of unprofessionalism, reports the BBC : think Steve Jobs’ black turtlenecks or General Motors CEO Mary Barra’s leather jackets. 

These days, despite what all our parents told us, tattoos don’t seem to have any negative effect on our ability to find a "good job." In fact, it can lead employees in creative roles to be seen as more professional, rather than less. 

Separating your “work self” and your “home self”

According to Professor Nadia Ibrahim-Taney , whose research focuses on workplace professionalism, “COVID has challenged our belief system about what ‘professionalism’ is and how it works in the modern workforce…[The pandemic has] empowered people to think about how they show up–in general, and for other people–and to speak their own truths as employees.” 

In fact, BetterUp data shows that professionals who bring their whole selves to work are more likely to thrive and excel in the workplace.

Hiding your emotions 

In that vein, being emotionally reserved is no longer a must for professionals in the workplace. While many employees (especially female employees) used to feel under pressure to keep emotions out of the office, a 2018 survey found that nearly half of CEOs saw no issue in occasional tears at work . 

Of course, there are limits to how much emotion is permitted at work. It comes down to empathy . Sharing emotions, such as vulnerability or overwhelm, can be helpful, as they alert our colleagues that we may need additional support.  But allowing our emotions to become invasive or distracting is not professional. 

Consultant and author Simon Sinek calls this “ emotional professionalism. ”  

 “If you’re having a bad day, you can say, ‘Listen, I’m sorry, I’m a little off my game today but you can’t sit in a meeting with your arms folded and be grumpy and give one-word answers. You can have hard feelings, but you can’t go around screaming and yelling at people.”  Simon Sinek, consultant and author  

In fact, it would seem that our ability to express, but also regulate our emotions and those of the people around us is a key component of professionalism in the workplace. 

Instead of suppressing their emotions, researchers at the Yale School of Management propose that leaders should aim to “ reassess the emotional situation ” for themselves and their teams. For example, exploring a stressful event could also offer opportunities for growth and improvement. 

Perfectionism 

Being a professional means holding yourself to high standards at work. However, when that spills over into perfectionism , it can actually hinder your performance . Research published in the Harvard Business Review found that while perfectionism is on the rise, being a perfectionist at work can make you unengaged , stressed, and worse at your job.    

Instead, to be a true professional, you should aim for top performance, of course. But temper your ambitions with vulnerability and a willingness to learn. To quote research professor Brené Brown : 

“The greatest barrier to daring leadership is …armor, or how we self-protect when we’re in fear.” Brené Brown, author, research professor

The importance of encouraging professionalism at work

Well, 87% of employers say professionalism is very important . This is hardly surprising. Given that today’s definition of professionalism encompasses qualities like dedication, initiative, and high standards at work, teams with high levels of professionalism will consistently outperform those without the same professional attitude. 

In fact, if we look at contemporary definitions of workplace professionalism, we can see substantial overlaps with employee engagement.

Engaged employees are more likely to seek opportunities to improve their performance . They are more likely to deliver a consistently strong performance at work . And they are more likely to show initiative and creativity at work . 

In other words, engaged employees are more likely to demonstrate high levels of professionalism. And this professional attitude directly impacts overall organizational performance , increasing everything from profitability to customer satisfaction rates. 

Encouraging professionalism in their teams is therefore one of the key responsibilities of today’s managers. 

How leaders can encourage professionalism in the workplace

To increase the level of professionalism in your team, there are a few simple steps that can have a dramatic impact: 

Foster a culture of inclusivity 

To quote Lorie Corcuera, “ Inclusion and belonging is the new version of professionalism.” A more inclusive organizational culture creates the space for every employee to do their best work. 

For Corcuera, leaders can increase the level of workplace professionalism by creating an inclusive culture where everyone on the team feels they matter and belong. For example, she says leaders can take care to invite everyone in a meeting to contribute: 

“Recently, I attended a meeting and one of the senior leaders shared at the start of the call that it's important to hear everyone's voices. He encouraged everyone to share their ideas, questions, and thoughts. He then paused and waited for people to start sharing.”

By encouraging greater assertiveness in your team, you will also encourage them to push themselves to reach a higher standard – the very core of true professionalism. 

Set a strong example 

It should go without saying, but if you want to promote professionalism in your team, you need to start by demonstrating it yourself. Leading by example means avoiding office politics and favoritism, keeping the communication channels open, demonstrating honesty, and holding yourself to the highest possible standard at work. 

But it also means showing vulnerability, asking for help when you need it, and demonstrating humility . Never be afraid to say, “I don’t know!” 

To quote Tim Reitsma, 

“ Managers set the tone. If the manager is the one who is acting in a way that isn’t professional, the team may follow along. As a manager, you need to level up your ability to communicate, know where to draw the line, hold people accountable , and remember to give feedback.” 

Encourage a sense of accountability and responsibility 

As a leader, you need to promote both accountability and responsibility in your team. You may be ultimately accountable for the success or failure of a particular project, but you should also make sure that every team member feels a clear sense of responsibility for their part in the task. To encourage employees to go above and beyond, you’ll have to start by giving them a sense of ownership over their tasks, and clearly communicating your expectations.  

Promote cultural alignment and culture add  

If you want to see more professionalism in your team, they need to have a clear grasp of the values and behaviors that you want to see. It’s a question of reinforcing the company's mission and culture . 

You can also make sure you recognize and acknowledge employees when they demonstrate those values, by making a direct link between the behavior and the value in question: ‘It’s great to see you taking initiative like that. At this company, we really look for employees who step up when it’s needed.’

How to develop employee professionalism

When it comes to improving your employees’ professionalism, it’s not only a question of modeling the behavior you want to see. You should also encourage your employees to develop the skills and behaviors most closely associated with professionalism: 

1. Hone your communication skills 

Great professionals excel at sharing their ideas and keeping everyone on the same page. To develop this skill in your team, consider directing them towards communication skills training. For instance, public speaking coaching can help employees build their ability to simplify their messages and become more confident in the spotlight. 

2. Invest in diversity and inclusion 

Professionalism in the workplace depends on every employee feel that they matter, that their perspectives are valuable, and that their performance will be recognized. However, unconscious bias and other pervasive challenges to diversity can be hard to tackle. Diversity and inclusivity training for both employees and managers can have a significant impact on the professionalism of your workplace. 

3. Build emotional regulation skills

Workplace professionalism depends on our ability to regulate and manage our emotions , rather than letting them dictate our behavior. For employees that struggle with self-control, coaching can be highly beneficial. A coach can provide external guidance to help employees identify and overcome the challenges that could otherwise hold them back from excelling as a professional. 

Being a true professional starts with self-knowledge 

For Lorie Corcuera, the secret to encouraging greater professionalism at work begins with understanding yourself, both as a professional and as a leader. To help your team become the professionals they have the potential to be, she advises managers to do this.

“S tart by leading yourself, which means learning more about yourself so you can grow and develop as a leader, and inspire your team to do the same.” Lorie Corcuera

BetterUp can help. Our coaches can provide objective guidance and help you develop the skills you need to develop greater professionalism in the workplace and within your team. At its heart, it’s about creating an environment where employees feel safe to show up as their whole selves.

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Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

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Professionalism

Meeting the standards that matter.

Written by Simon Bell

Reviewed by Kevin Dunne

Professionalism is a powerful quality. It allows you to fulfilll your role to the best of your ability. It helps you to impress and inspire others. And it gives you a deep sense of satisfaction and self-worth.

What's more, professionalism is something that everyone can aspire to from day one of their career.

In this article, we explain what professionalism means today, and show you how to act and feel like a professional – wherever you work.

What Is Professionalism?

As the saying goes, " Professionalism is not the job you do, it's how you do the job. "

Professionalism involves consistently achieving high standards, both visibly and "behind the scenes" – whatever your role or profession.

Some sectors, workplaces or roles have particular "rules" of professionalism. These may be explicit, such as an agreed dress code, or a policy for using social media.

Other rules and expectations may not be written down, but they can be just as important – such as what is regarded as professional behavior at meetings, or even how people personalize their desks.

It pays to be observant, and to ask for clarification if necessary. "Fitting in" is a big part of professionalism, as it's a way to show respect, attention to detail, and a commitment to upholding agreed practices and values.

However, "being true to yourself" is just as important. True professionals don't follow rules mindlessly, and they know when and how to challenge norms. They're also flexible, and they find their own ways to do things – while still maintaining high standards.

8 Characteristics of Professionalism

What are the attributes that will mark you out as a professional? Let's look at eight key characteristics:

1. Competence

As a professional, you get the job done – and done well. Your abilities match the requirements of your role, and you often produce results that exceed expectations.

But you never plow on simply for the sake of appearances. Instead, your professionalism allows you to manage your own and others' expectations, and to ask for support when necessary.

2. Knowledge

Professionalism involves developing detailed, up-to-date knowledge, which is often highly specialized . At every stage of your career you can strive to master your role – and keep adding to what you know.

It's also important to put your knowledge into action. Being professional means feeling confident to show what you know; not for self-promotion, but to help yourself and others to succeed.

3. Conscientiousness

Professionalism involves being reliable, setting your own high standards, and showing that you care about every aspect of your job.

It's about being industrious and organized, and holding yourself accountable for your thoughts, words and actions.

But don't confuse conscientiousness with working longer hours than everyone else, or obsessing about details. True professionals plan and prioritize their work to keep it under control, and they don't let perfectionism hold them back .

4. Integrity

Integrity is what keeps professional people true to their word. It also stops them compromising their values, even if that means taking a harder road.

Integrity is bound up with being honest – to yourself, and to the people you meet. Your beliefs and behaviors are aligned, and everyone can see that you're genuine.

Professionalism means being a role model for politeness and good manners – to everyone, not just those you need to impress.

What's more, you show that you truly respect other people by taking their needs into account, and by helping to uphold their rights.

6. Emotional Intelligence

To be a true professional you need to stay professional even under pressure. This takes strategies for managing your emotions, plus a clear awareness of other people's feelings. In short, emotional intelligence is essential .

Sometimes, professionalism means keeping your emotions in check. But at other times it's important to express your feelings, in order to have meaningful conversations or to stand up for what you believe in.

7. Appropriateness

A big part of being professional is knowing what's appropriate in different situations. It avoids awkwardness or upset, boosts your credibility, and helps you to feel secure in your role.

Appropriateness relates to outward appearances, such as dress, personal grooming, and body language.

But it also covers the way you speak and write, the topics you choose to discuss, and how you behave with others.

8. Confidence

Well-founded confidence reassures and motivates other people, boosting your ability to influence and lead . It also pushes you to take on new challenges, because you don't fear damaging your professional reputation if things go wrong.

Professionalism makes you confident about what you’re doing now, but always eager to do it better and achieve more.

How to Exhibit Professionalism

Now that we've seen the qualities that set professionals apart, let's explore ways to improve in each of these eight areas.

Improve Your Competence

Carry out a Personal SWOT Analysis to identify your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Then set SMART goals to plan your improvement.

Our article, 8 Ways to Prioritize Your Professional Development , shows how to lead your own learning and growth. It also explains how to work with others to boost the competence of your whole team.

Increase Your Knowledge

Don't let your knowledge and skills get outdated. Make a commitment to build expertise and to stay up-to-date with your industry.

As well as carrying out research, consider on-the-job training to maintain and develop detailed and relevant knowledge.

Use all the networking you do to stay well-informed about your industry as a whole. And see our article, Building Expert Power , for ways to strengthen and apply your knowledge at every stage of your career.

Be Conscientious

Conscientiousness requires organization, so make regular use of To-Do Lists and Action Programs . You can also learn to be more conscientious by improving your concentration , to complete work more efficiently and accurately.

Resolve to honor your commitments and to learn from your mistakes, in order to develop strong personal accountability .

Our article, How to Be Conscientious , has a range of additional ideas for boosting this key aspect of professionalism.

Role-Model Integrity

Start by defining your own values , then spot any gaps between them and the way you actually behave. Our guide to authenticity explains why this is a lifelong process, involving self-knowledge, willingness to reassess your priorities, and the ability to change your behavior.

Ensure that you're clear about the laws that apply to your work, as well as any policies that your organization has in place to support ethical practices. These might include guidelines for fair procurement processes, or rules about accepting gifts from clients.

Whenever possible, explain your decisions and choices carefully. And do everything you can to make it easy for others to act with integrity, too.

Promote Mutual Respect

Make it a habit to be polite and kind to everyone you come into contact with. Notice what respectful behavior looks like in any given situation.

Sometimes you might need to develop your cultural understanding – and perhaps do some specific research before an overseas trip or an international meeting online.

You should also learn about any differences among your own people, so that you know how to help everyone feel safe, included and respected. A professional approach like this can help to create a culture of mutual respect .

Develop Your Emotional Intelligence

Start by increasing your awareness of your own emotions .

Then work on your ability to sense other people's emotions and needs. Active Listening is crucial here. You can also practice seeing things from other people's point of view, so that you empathize with them, and see how best to support them.

Emotional Intelligence can be learned like any other professional skill. There's a range of practical strategies for this in our article, Emotional Intelligence .

Always Behave Appropriately

This takes " Cultural Intelligence ," driven by a commitment to respect cultural norms and thrive within different settings – which might be countries, organizations, or even different teams within one company.

It also requires understanding. Avoid making assumptions, do your research, be observant, and ask for advice if necessary. After that, it's about consistently making the effort to get your appearance, communication and behavior spot-on.

Remember that professionalism extends to social media, where inappropriate behavior is likely to be indelible. Social events, both on- and off-line, can also be challenging. See our article, When Work Involves Socializing , for tips on having fun and staying professional.

Boost Your Confidence

If you put the advice from this article into action, you can be confident that your professionalism will shine through.

However, if confidence is one of your weaknesses, use techniques for boosting self-confidence . Many professionals also have to manage Impostor Syndrome, so you may need to keep reminding yourself that you really are worthy of your role.

Professionalism When Working From Home

When you're working from home, many professional behaviors are as important as ever. You'll likely need to be punctual with virtual meetings, for example. And you'll still have to handle information securely.

But other "rules" may need to change, such as dress codes, working hours, and tolerance of unexpected interruptions! More than ever, clarity around expectations – for everyone – is key.

Our article, Working From Home , has practical advice about staying productive and professional while also looking after your personal needs.

Professionalism involves consistently achieving high standards, both in the work you do and the way you behave.

Being professional helps you to achieve high-quality results, while impressing and inspiring others – and feeling good about yourself.

The eight core characteristics of professionalism are: Competence, Knowledge, Conscientiousness, Integrity, Respect, Emotional Intelligence, Appropriateness, and Confidence.

By finding ways to strengthen each of these attributes, you can become confident to act professionally wherever you find yourself working.

These qualities are particularly important when the normal "rules" of professionalism are blurred, such as when you’re working from home.

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Question and Answer forum for K12 Students

Professionalism Essay | Importance and Essay on Professionalism for Students and Children in English

Professionalism Essay: Professionalism is the behavior of someone in a work or business environment.  Professionalism is not just wearing a coat and tie or possessing a title. Professionalism is how you present yourself during your business affairs.

You can read more  Essay Writing  about articles, events, people, sports, technology many more.

True professionals possess a number of important characteristics some of them are:

Follow a Dress Code: Professionals need to be decent in appearance. Be sure to follow the requirements of your company’s dress code. Pay special attention to your appearance during meetings with prospects or clients. Personality is the main source of attracting the clients

Be Confident and Polite: You should handle your superiors with confidence but at the same time be polite and well-spoken with your customers or co-workers. You should handle any situation calmly. Your body language and facial expressions must convey the message you want others to hear successfully

Keep Your Word: Providing an instant response to people promptly and following through on promises is also important. Value time and be at work on time, start meetings on time and follow through on all your commitments

Keep Upgrading

Professionals need to keep on upgrading themselves to strive in the market. They need to get the expertise in their field, to attract customers. Continue to upgrade yourself by taking various courses, attending seminars and attaining any related professional workshops. Always be productive

Utilize your time productively at work. Focus on your job responsibilities.  Avoid using social media, web browsing and phone activity while at work

Be Organized

A professional should keep the work area neat and organized, so that they can quickly and easily find what is needed. Moreover, your briefcase should contain only what is needed for your meetings, appointment or presentation. Being organized reflects your dedication to your work

Accept your Mistakes

As a professional, if you make a mistake, accept it and try to fix it if possible. Don’t place the blame on your juniors or someone else. If your company made a mistake, take responsibility and try to resolve the issue

Have Good Conversation

Your phonic conversation is an important part of professional behavior. Be sure not to dominate the conversation and listen to the other party carefully. Call back and follow up on any actions you agree to during a conversation

During the written conversation, keep your letters brief and to the point. Your tone should be polite and formal This also applies to email correspondence

Keep a Positive Attitude

A professional must always carry a positive attitude. Never have senseless gossip among colleagues. Don’t complain publicly, talk badly about your customers or the company in any way. Leave personal issues at home and don’t waste your time with idle chit-chat. Communicate all business-related matters in a professional manner at all times

Professional behavior demands honesty and ethical behavior. This includes always representing yourself and your company accurately. Never lie or mislead customers

Always try to meet the customer requirements and complete the commitments as agreed upon and any promises that are delayed. Provide notices periodically if not fulfilled

Practicing proper professionalism in the workplace can get you success to a much greater extent. If you value your work. your commitments and remain dedicated, and productive, you would build up a respectable reputation within your organization

Short Essay on Professionalism

Rightly said, “Professionalism is not the job you do, it’s how you do the job.” Professionalism is defined as the way in which business people interact with colleagues, clients and customers. Professionalism is a powerful quality to impress and inspire others.

Here are some definite ways to develop and practice professionalism:

• Be productive: Always try to use your time productively at work.  Concentrate on your work responsibilities and avoid using social media, web browsing and phone activity while on work
• Carry a professional image: Appearance and personality are very important aspects of professionalism. Choose to dress appropriately for your industry and organization.  Always be decent at work
• Take the initiative: Always be ready to take on new projects and challenges that are helpful in the growth of your company. Think of new ideas that will meet your organization’s goals.
• Be sorted: Prioritize, plan and manage your work, assignments and projects.  Keep in touch with your head and team members. Always be organised at your work
• Manage your time efficiently: Set your goals and create plans to meet deadlines. Utilize your time for the betterment of the organisation
• Provide excellence: Produce best results that reflect a sense of pride. Excellence is always be rewarded
• Be a problem-solver: When you are facing any problems and obstacles, take the time to find solutions and alternatives before you contact your supervisor. This will keep your image at the highest.
• Communicate effectively: Be polite while communicating with your customers, colleagues and supervisors. Respond to the problems effectively. Instant service attracts customers
• Develop self-awareness: Accept and reflect on feedback to learn and grow
• Build relationships: Communicate with colleagues, customers and clients to build professional relationships. Work in teams and collaborate effectively

FAQ’s on Professionalism Essay

Question 1. What is the importance of Professionalism?

Answer: Your customers are not your mates or your siblings. These are the people that provide the income to your business, which pays your salary. So it is very important to respect professionalism no matter how small or large you are

Professionalism encompasses the way you present yourself, your attitude and the ways you communicate with others. Professionalism can create a positive impact on the consumer, successful interpersonal relationships and a lasting reputation within your organization and industry

Question 2. What is the role of punctuality in professionalism?

Answer: Punctuality plays a very important role in professionalism. Punctuality is more than just getting the work done on time. It includes being at your work on time, completing your deadlines, being on time for client and staff meetings. People who are punctual are respected by clients more than those who are always late

Question 3. Is dress code an important aspect of professionalism?

Answer: Yes, professionalism far more is defined by appearance and personality. Your dressing sense says a lot about your professionalism. While everyone has their own personal style, there are dress codes at most workplaces. If a uniform is required, it should be neat and clean. Grooming is another aspect of professionalism.