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How To Be “Professional”

Think about someone in your workplace who is seen by others as being a professional. What makes them a professional? What do you admire about him or her? Chances are, this individual demonstrates specific behaviours such as respect for others, integrity, etc.

If you want to be seen or known as a professional in your workplace, here are some basic tips / behaviours to consider:

  1. Do your job well. Seek additional training to ensure you have the necessary skills and knowledge.
  2. Be respectful to everyone around you, regardless of his or her position.
  3. Let others know they can depend on you by being up on time — whether it is submitting deliverables on time or showing up to meetings on time.
  4. Be honest and upfront. For example, if you are running behind on a deliverable, be open about it.
  5. Be consistent on your workplace principles. Saying one thing but doing another does not say “professionalism”.
  6. Demonstrate continuous learning and skill development. Stay up-to-date on the latest trends.
  7. Maintain a positive attitude, particularly in difficult situations.
  8. Be supportive of your co-workers, whether it is lending an ear or giving them their turn in the spotlight.
  9. Be open to other ideas and opinion.

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The Girl's Guide To Being Boss (Without Being A Bitch) by Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio

According to Caitlin Friedman and Kimberly Yorio, the authors of The Girl’s Guide To Being Boss (Without Being A Bitch), a woman who has just been promoted needs to learn how to be a mentor more than a manager and how to be firm but fair. Written in a straightforward manner, the book includes bulleted lists, succinct paragraphs, personal anecdotes, and interviews with women leaders, making it a quick read.

Specifically the book offers quick tips on how to take credit for ideas, deal with office politics, and, most important, how to take responsibility for your mistakes. Additionally, the authors include advice from women around the country who are currently coaches, human resource directors, and social workers so that you can hear what they have to say about the challenges and opportunities awaiting you as the Chick-In-Charge.

By acknowledging that studies, since the 1980s, have consistently shown that the same techniques used successfully for men in leadership roles are not as effective when used by women, the authors encourage women workers to overcome these difficulties through a compilation of personal anecdotes and interviews. These interviews demonstrate how other female leaders use patience, strength, wisdom, and nurturing in an effective manner that actually makes them better managers than men. Saying that, it must be noted that this manual also covers issues such as managerial styles and methods that would be beneficial to a leader of either gender. One problem that I noted with the book, however, was that while many of the concepts were worthwhile, they stopped short of explaining how to implement the suggestions, for example, how to avoid crying in the workplace or how to handle giving a negative review to an employee.

However, by the conclusion of the book, I realized the authors’ goal was to empower and inspire women to achieve their corporate goals by harnessing their innate interpersonal skills, that make them natural leaders. Given all the pluses of this book and the fact that it is an easy read, I would recommend it as a worthwhile investment for the male or female manager whether they work in the corporate office or a small retail enterprise.

Use your Google search engine to scout out additional information on how to deal with workplace situations.

[tags]Girl’s Guide To Being Boss, Caitlin Friedman, Kimberly Yorio, inspriational, management style, office politics, google, succeeding in business[/tags]