Professionalism
E. Carol Webster, Ph.D.
Copyright © 2006
Be
professional. Your reputation is only as good as your performance, so
expect to lose credibility and stature when you fail to carry out tasks
and responsibilities as promised. Colleagues and clients need to feel that
they can count on you and, if they can’t, do them a favor -- be candid and
let them know.
Acknowledge Your Limitations
Don’t take on
more than you can handle. It may make you feel good to volunteer to head up
a project or to take on a challenge in order to impress your boss. But, if
you really don’t know what you’re doing or don’t actually have the time to
do a good job– say so. People respect you more for acknowledging that you
lack a certain skill, need more training, or can’t give the project the full
time and attention it deserves because of competing activities.
Be Responsible
If you take
on a task, be responsible in carrying it out to its completion or see that
someone else takes care of it for you. No one likes a slacker. As a
professional, you are expected to follow through so when you say you will do
something – do it! Excuses peg you as a lightweight and the failure to keep
your word only draws unflattering, negative attention. Following through
means that you might be up late at night responding to e-mail, initiating or
returning calls, even if only to voice mail, but at least you demonstrate
that you are conscientious and respect your clients and colleagues.
Just Say "No"
If you know
that you have absolutely no intention of doing something but keep saying
that you will -- you are being dishonest and need to stop this. Just say
"no". People understand that we can’t always take on a task or that
sometimes we just don’t want to. Better to be respected for your honesty
than to be scorned and viewed as incompetent.
Own Up to Your Mistakes
When you do
let others down or make some big mistake – acknowledge that you messed up.
Things happen. We’re not perfect all the time. Generally, people are quick
to forgive and will move on. But don’t make a habit of this. You need to
learn from these mistakes and try harder to avoid letting down the "team" in
the future.
It’s
important to carry yourself as a professional. Your credentials mean nothing
if you’re unreliable and can’t be counted on. Credibility, competency, and
trustworthiness are invaluable and can’t be faked – at least not for long.
Do the work necessary to boost your reputation as a professional. Be a
winner.
