What is Professionalism
Professionalism has a definition but it is long and does not really cover the idea well. Instead I would examine how it manifests itself. It is code of conduct in a profession: the reason it is called professionalism. This code requires us to dress, speak, and act in a specific way. In business it means, dressing in slacks, collared shirts, dresses, skirts, and other garments that young little farmboy me would have called church clothes. It means, not losing temper, speaking politely, and not using any slang. It means, having managed hair, smelling fresh, and staying clean. This is how we know it, but is it good or bad?
Pros and Cons of Professionalism
The pros are: it can promote productivity, people are more polite and civil, the company looks good externally and internally. The cons, it could make people feel anxious, it could stifle creativity, many feel uncomfortable physically and socially when there is too much professionalism. After a quick comparison of the positive and negative aspects it is fairly apparent that professionalism is a good thing, probably why it has persisted for so long. However, just because it is good does not preclude the possibility of something better.
Is There Something Better?
Respect. It is the regard we hold for other people, based on their position, their occupations, their traditions, and their natural dignity. Respect is also given to institutions, for their accomplishments, what they provide you, and give to others. In practice respect is the way we behave, how we carry ourselves, what we say, and how we present ourselves to others. This term is very large and includes a lot of facets, one of them being professionalism. Which is why I will suggest in the office deferring to respect, not professionalism.
Respect vs Professionalism
Respect provides the positives of professionalism, and more, without its drawbacks. When individuals treat each other with respect it allows them to give one another space when working, this provides the same opportunity for an employee to be productive as professionalism. When people treat one another with respect they will speak civilly to coworkers and to customers. Furthermore, it is not simply tolerating the college or client, like in professionalism, but it asks the person to really understand the other and empathize with them. The last advantage of professionalism is public reception. Respect does the same but with more quality. When every employee must treat everyone with respect the public impression will be very favorable. Respect is a key element of customer service. If respect became a staple of every interaction public opinion of the company would be high.
Respect does not have any of the pitfalls of professionalism. Professionalism can produce anxiety or make people feel uncomfortable, whereas respect is accepting and completely contrary to making individuals feel uncomfortable. Professionalism can stifle creativity because it is forcing a normalized behavior. Respect places no such restrictions and thus no barriers to imagination. Respect has the positive attributes without suffering from the negative.
Respect has other advantages in addition to those professionalism incurs. Respect is socially aware and inclusive. It takes into account the individual, their uniqueness, strengths, and talents. Respect also produces a stronger culture. When people treat one another with respect there is no place for a toxic culture to emerge. Professionalism often can be stifling and stuffy, but with respect the restraints are removed, but none of the quality is sacrificed. Professionalism has a place and time, but respect has infinite application and reach. Professionalism is what you do at work and for work, but respect is to be given to everyone anywhere. There is no such thing as a time you don’t need to show respect. Even when admonishing or firing employees respect should be present. You must still treat them with dignity and respect. One final advantage is we all know what it looks like. We would not have to be trained or given the handbook of respect. We know when we have not given someone or a company the respect they deserve, even when we do not like them. Thus the application of respect will be easier to practice in any workplace.
Respect in Practice
In practice all the composite features of professionalism: dress, speech, and behavior exist in a respect driven workplace. Respect is not due only to individuals, but also to institutions and organizations. As employees, and therefore part of an organization, respect suggests you dress appropriately for your profession and give coworkers the space and opportunity to complete their work.
The recent shifts in the corporate work are making professionalism somewhat outdated. Many companies in silicon valley do not adhere to stereotypes of professionalism like physical workspace and work clothes, yet they uphold those fundamentals which are here referred to as respect. Moreover, there is a growing shift towards work from home and obviously in that environment and dress are different. It is pointless to force professionalism into the home space, but there is no excuse not to maintain respect. For example, in meetings respect on the employee’s part is to pay attention, to not produce distractions, to dress in an appropriate fashion. Additionally, respect is an idea that is easier to promote in any work environment, farm, school, gym, office, factory. No matter how you should dress and what the physical space looks like you should act with respect. I suggest with the evolution of the work environment, and the many more changes to come, professionalism may be an idea that should be updated and replaced by the more wholesome concept of respect.
Latest posts by Felix Du Sablon (see all)
- There Is Something Better Than Professionalism: Respect - July 21, 2020
