“The difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.” —Vince Lombardi
How a person carries themselves says a lot about them. Professionalism in the workplace says a lot about the business and the two are directly correlated.
An employee’s attitude, communication, first impression, and appearance matter. Reputations can follow a person or business for a long time.
Let’s look at an example:
Imagine it is your first time visiting a dentist’s office. You arrive for a simple cleaning. The receptionist is professional and courteous. Your paperwork process is simple and quick. The lobby is clean and nice and finally, after a short wait the hygienist comes out to greet you and takes you back for your cleaning. Once seated and ready to begin, the hygienist comes over and begins checking your teeth and assessing what needs to be done. While lying in the dentist’s chair you smell body odor and it isn’t yours. Then, the hygienist’s colleague comes in complaining about a fellow coworker right in front of you.
As a customer, you may not want to pay hard earned money to repeat this experience. Their first impression was not good and also their reputation in your mind will remain as an unprofessional establishment. If you were to write a web review, it would not be favorable to their business. If a friend was to ask your opinion, I doubt you would recommend that office.
Not only does your etiquette affect you but also the business you work for. An employer is looking to hire someone they trust to represent their business well.
Professionalism boils down to one specific point, respect.
If a person has respect for themselves it will show in their appearance, attitude, work ethic, and manners. The same is to be said for an employee who has respect for their employer. If a person respects those who hired them they will do their best work daily and with each task. Professionalism seems to be dying and needs to be revived.
SmallBiz Professionalism Tips:
Be committed and own up to those commitments.
Be a good worker. Be attentive to the task at hand and be proactive. Employers love a proactive attitude.
Be a positive and engaged part of the workplace culture.
A good leader leads by example and is not afraid to help their employees out.
There is a time and place for personal matters. If it is necessary for your boss to know something that is going on in the home front then schedule a time to meet with them, but otherwise work stays at work and home stays at home.
Have respect for everyone including yourself.