Understanding Professionalism: Traits for Success

1257 Words3 Pages

The term professional is thrown around quite a bit these days, perhaps too much. I do it myself. But what exactly does it mean to be a professional? As you read through the items below, consider how you compare with each trait. 1: Put customer satisfaction first Understanding and satisfying your customer's needs are the cornerstones of a successful business. Do what is necessary to meet those needs. After all, without the customer, there is no professional. You may not view those you work with as your customers, but in many cases, they are. I remember when one of my managers perceived that I was overly stressed. He pulled me aside and sat me down in his office where he told me stories and jokes for the better part of half an hour. He recognized …show more content…

The AVOs thanked me for the support I provided that helped them do their job better. Silly me — what was I thinking? I was sharing a Coke when I should have been sharing my thanks in a printed internal document to the employee's manager. Professionals thank others in a meaningful way that most benefits the recipient. 10: Keep a smile on your face and the right attitude in your heart This has been the hardest item for me to do consistently over my working years. I believed I was lying to myself and the world by smiling when I was miserable or unhappy with an ongoing issue at work. I now realize it's not dishonest to be pleasant when you are having one of those lousy days. It is in fact thoughtful to care about how your attitude affects those you interact with. Share your unhappiness with your manager only. "Share the misery" is not the mark of a professional. Professionals are pleasant even during trying times. 11. Confidentiality Do not discuss a certain job with others unless you have approval of the particular client to do so. This can have a huge bearing on your integrity and trustworthiness. The final

More about Understanding Professionalism: Traits for Success

Open Document