Thorough Professionalism

We all like to call ourselves professionals, but are we really? What is it that constitutes thorough professionalism?? What is the measure for this abstract concept? Well, I guess it’s time we review... When people think professionalism they think of something big but professionalism is reflected in the minutest things.

Well, for starters, how do you introduce yourself when making a call..? For example, I’m used to receiving official calls their introductory statement being “Who is speaking?” Now, if you do not know whom you are calling then why was the call made in the first place? Secondly, why should the receiver of the call bother to introduce himself when the one making the call is the one who needs to converse? If you simply want to confirm who is at the other end of the line, then introducing yourself first and saying “May I speak to XYZ?” is probably the best approach.

Another thing that strikes me as comical is that some people simply shun ownership & responsibility in any and all even mildly tricky situations. They have a ready answer: “Talk to my boss!” The point is if you cannot back your own actions & at least try to find the solution to a problem, then why hire a specialist like an engineer, scientist, designer or any other suitably qualified personnel for that matter..?! Although uncertainty caused by initial lack of experience is common and some crucial decisions may need intervening, turning to your superior for each and every run of the mill detail displays your lack of confidence & laziness and before long the world will simply bypass you while you remain stuck as a mediocre professional at best.
  
Coming to the work itself, no matter which field you are in, there are certain thumb rules that I feel apply almost everywhere. For example, I work in the technical field, which entails loads of managerial duties as well. And as far as the technical work itself goes, I’ve been put in a multitude of different units within a short span of time and expected to learn and contribute in them all. In today’s fast paced world the old adage 'jack of all trades, master of none' doesn’t seem to apply anymore. Either you adapt or you fold, but 'master of all trades' is the in-thing now. I’m glad that I did my first failure analysis some time back and intend to work on papers to be published at forums like CORCON, etc. I find trying to do a little bit extra on a daily basis, even something as simple as making a trend to study a pattern, extremely worthwhile & rewarding.  So, as far as I’m concerned my professional contribution has begun already.

Lastly, the one thing that I’ve noticed almost everywhere from firsthand experience in both govt. & private firms is that people are quick to judge an individual or a group that too after observing just a tiny fraction or aspect of the person or team. Well, although it is important to form an opinion of someone to deal with them in an appropriate way, I’d rather suggest analyzing in place of judging, which would be an unbiased & therefore a truly professional thing to do. Now then, having gone through this article, it is time to ask yourself the same question again... Are you a professional???