Assignment on "TO BE A PROFESSIONAL AT WORKPLACE"

TO BE A PROFESSIONAL AT WORKPLACE

There is no doubt that organizations need and indeed demand well-behaved, emotionally mature people to manage its resources, of which people are the most valuable resource. Most organizations demand that their staff behave professionally at all times, but they do not offer any explanation of what that means, and staff do not readily admit their ignorance because they are ‘supposed’ to know what professionalism means. We simply assume that everyone knows how to conduct themselves in every situation.

To be a professional at workplace may be described as:

“Upholding a behavior at the workplace based on the organization’s values, competency, credibility, understanding of the profession and showing mature responsibility”.

These days, every salaried employee with a degree considers himself to be a professional. If that fact was worth any salt, professionalism would not be hard to find and tough to keep in the corporate sector. Well, then how do we understand professionalism in the workplace? Professionalism at work requires an individual to possess these characteristics.

• Knowing oneself and being in control of one's reactions and work related antics. Losing control over one's temper is not considered professional at a work place.
• Handling constructive criticism. Constructive or not, criticism is a part of any working experience. As such, as a part of professionalism at work, one needs to be receptive of criticism. While giving the criticism a thought and following it through if it is constructive and ignoring it if not.
• One has to be aware that workplace conflicts are natural and hence inevitable. It is not in human nature to be around so many people for so much time on a regular basis, under occasional stress, and yet manage to be conflict-free. The point is to harness that conflict into positive productivity and leave it at that.

Professionalism

(1)Professionalism isn't just a set of appearances -- neatness, good grooming, "shop talk" and the like. Nor is it just technical skill; many technically skilled people are not really professional. Professionalism is, rather, a set of internalized character strengths and values directed toward high quality service to others through one's work. In their daily work, whatever it may be, real professionals show these inner strengths and attitudes -- sound judgment, know-how, business savvy, mature responsibility, problem-solving perseverance and ingenuity, along with what people call "class." This is as true for hair-dressers, carpenters, machinists, police officers, and barbers as it is for lawyers, physicians, and engineers. Any honest work can be done professionally.

(2) Professionals show self-respect in their work. They're conscious that their work reflects their inner character. Their work is, among other things, a statement of their personal commitment to excellence of performance. They don't see work as just a job to be done or merely a source of "spending money."

(3)they see work as service to others. They labor toward the betterment of other people, directly or indirectly: clients, customers, employers, colleagues. Thus they're both task-oriented and people-oriented.

(4)Professionals have respect for experience. They have an ongoing need to learn and improve, to master traditional approaches and then try to improve on them. Among professionals there's a teaching tradition; people teach and learn by word and example. Professionals also respect the experience of others; they have high regard for professionalism in other lines of work. Moreover, they know how to use the powers of other professionals (lawyers, accountants, consultants) to strengthen their own performance. They seek out sound advice and generally follow it.

(5)they tend to see problems as challenges and opportunities, not burdensome "hassles" to be avoided. They have a long-term habit of approaching problems confidently and optimistically. They don't let indecision or fear of failure lead to paralysis. They do the best they can with what they have.

(6)they have a high level of personal responsibility and respect for others' rights. They have a clear sense of the limits to their authority and rights of operation. They don't meddle in others' affairs or criticize in areas where they have neither rights nor expertise. So, professionals are unafraid to say, "That's none of my business" or "I don't know anything about that...." They tend to have an intense dislike for gossip or otherwise uninformed criticism.

(7)they make efficient use of resources, especially time. They know how to concentrate mind and will on the tasks before them. They work quickly but not hurriedly. They're careful but not slow.

(8) They compartmentalize work responsibilities from leisure and personal interests. Work hours are devoted exclusively to job performance; leisure and personal affairs wait until the job is done. Responsibilities to clients and employers come ahead of self-interested concerns and pleasures. They know that leisure is most enjoyable when it's been earned through hard work. They can do their best work no matter how poorly they feel at the moment.

(9) Even off the job, professionals demonstrate admirable character: good judgment, good taste, good manners, and a respect for quality in general. Their personality shows tasteful self-restraint combined with concern for others and love of life -- in a word, "class."

(10) The character and values of professionalism are built up first in childhood and then strengthened in adulthood through study, training, and work experience. This means that young people, even teenagers, can mark themselves as professionals -- earn the respect of all who work with them -- during the first few weeks of their first job.

How Does Professional Etiquettes Benefit You?

• Differentiates you from others in a competitive job market

• Enables you to be confident in a variety of settings with a variety of people

• Honors commitment to excellence and quality

• Modifies distracting behaviors and develops admired conduct

“Be one step ahead, practice the social skills necessary to help you make a great first impression and stand out in a competitive job market”.

-Kentia Matheson, Director of Human Resources, Dellinger and Dees Services

Creating a positive image

Behavior:

• Exhibit a positive attitude and pleasant demeanor

• Use a firm handshake

• Maintain good eye contact

• Appropriate introductions – introduce someone by their title and last name (Ms. Mrs. Mr. Dr. Smith), unless otherwise specified

• Rise when you are introducing someone or you are being introduced

• Nonverbal communication is important

• Show common respect and consideration for others

Professional Appearance

• Grooming is fundamental

• Hair clean and styled appropriately

• Clean nails, skin and teeth

• Many professionals wear make-up (depends on field)

• Check fragrance and clothing care

Business Casual Wardrobe

• For women: dress pants, shirt, blouse, well maintained dress or casual shoe (no tennis shoes, flip flops, etc.)

• For men: slacks/khaki pants, polo shirt, or other collared dress shirt, well maintained dress or casual shoes (no tennis shoes, flip flops, etc.)

Office Etiquette

• Cubical –

• Keep in mind that others work around you

• Professional business calls only

• Use your “inside voice” when on the phone or speaking with a co-worker

• Remember cubical conversations and calls can be heard by others (use discretion and good judgment as there is no “free air space”)

• Attending a meeting

– Listen carefully

– Come prepared

– Be concise and articulate when speaking

– Show respect

What is expected of you?

• Don’t talk too often about “College Days” –the faster you shed your student identity, the more easily you will begin to work in the new setting.

• Find out about the “informal” chain of command

Making a positive impression –

• Recognize that what you do early on will be magnified

• Remember your manners

• Be ready to learn, adapt and change

• Exercise professional maturity by showing good judgment and build good relationships

• Show a healthy respect for colleagues experience and expertise

• Exhibit a positive attitude and know what your role will be on the team. How can I best assist?

• Leave your personal life at the front door

• Inquire about the proper way to respond to co-workers, supervisors, clients

(Business letter head, phone call etc.)

Following are some of the characteristics that one should hold to reflect a professional image:

(1) There's such a thing as a professional vocation. It's some passionate love that directs one’s powers to the welfare of others and earns one a living. While growing up, one should search long and wide to find some line of work that appeals to one’s heart -- some labor that gives one the joy one knew in childhood, when work and play were one. Few pleasures in life are more delightful than a job we really enjoy.

(2) One word of caution, though. One may love music or drama or sports so much that one think of these fields as potential careers. Fine, but anchor oneself in reality. The worlds of entertainment and sports bring delight to millions, so a few hundred-thousand youngsters aspire to work in them -- and everyone in this vast throng is competing against one. To succeed, one need to be exceptionally talented, extremely hard-working, single-mindedly ambitious, well connected with influential people, and (to be frank about it) very, very lucky. No matter how one look at it, the odds are hugely against one. Remember, no matter what one later do for a living, one can always enjoy these pursuits as recreational pastimes.

(3) When leaning toward a career, one should ask oneself: "What can I be an expert in?" Then work to become that expert.

(4) Rely on family and friends to tell one what one is really good at. When we're good at something, we're usually among the last to know it. Others notice our talent before we do, because to us the gift seems natural, easy, and almost effortless. So pay attention when people close to one all say the same thing: One has some talent that one should develop.

(5) Success in one's career doesn't necessarily mean great fame and big money. Real success in work and life means several things:

-- being able to support oneself and one’s family comfortably
-- waking up in the morning and looking forward to the day's work
-- earning the respect of everyone who knows one: family, friends, bosses, subordinates, clients, customers, neighbors.

-- Seeing one’s powers and skills work toward the betterment of others
-- enjoying leisure pursuits thoroughly because you’ve earned them.

(6) Throughout human history, finding a good job has always been a matter of which one knows. Credentials, experience, cold calls, and mass mailings of résumés -- none of these things beats connections through friends. One’s friends won't have a job for one, but their friends might. In other words, we get a job most quickly and effectively through the friends of our friends. For this reason alone, it pays to have many friends and acquaintances. (Related piece of advice: Maintain contact with one’s closest friends from high school and college. Work at making them friends for life.)

(7) In one’s first couple of jobs, try to work for a good boss, someone who'll challenge one’s powers, correct one, and help one learn from one’s mistakes. A good boss will teach one more in one year than one will learn in four years of college.

(8) Notice that successful bosses have effective communication skills: they're attentive listeners and clear explainers. They learn from people, including their employees. They lead their people to understand what's important.

(9) Arrogant, tyrannical egomaniacs sometimes make it to the top of a business, largely because of their pyrotechnic energy -- but eventually they get into trouble. They blunder because of egocentric misjudgments; they cut corners with the law; they drive away good employees; their arrogance affronts clients, customers, or -- finally and fatally -- Board directors. Their spectacular sacking makes headlines. Moral: In the long run, it pays to be a considerate, responsible team leader. An effective boss removes obstacles from people's performance; he doesn't create them.

(10) Work in such a way that one make one’s boss look good.

(11)Generally speaking, when a company is downsizing, the first people to go are the ones who made few friends in the organization. But those people with a lot of friends tend to remain. All other things being equal, bosses prefer to retain competent people whom they also like and respect.

(12) Dress for the job one want, not the one have. Let one’s dress and grooming reflect one’s self-respect and professionalism. Pay special attention to one’s shoes and shirts. One’s bosses will notice.

(13) Get in good physical shape and work to stay that way. Generally speaking, conspicuously overweight people suffer a competitive disadvantage in the workplace. Unless they're exceptionally skilled in some technical area, they get passed over in favor of healthier looking competitors, especially if their jobs involve personal contact with the public. This is, of course, often unfair -- but much of life is unfair, and we have to come to terms with reality.

(14) Personal integrity is crucially important in business. Tell nothing but the truth and always keep one’s word. Bosses and clients can forgive isolated, well intentioned mistakes and even blunders.

(15) Mind one’s own business. The top of someone's desk isn't a bulletin board, so don't read what's on other people's desks or computer monitors. If bosses or co-workers find one snooping, they won't trust one.

(16) Similarly, don't make critical comments about matters that lie outside one’s areas of responsibility. Stick to one’s own business. Don't get a reputation as a busybody. Every responsible professional knows that loose-talking meddlers are also either slackers or control freaks. In either case, nobody trusts them.

(17) Don't talk negatively about people behind their backs. If one gossip, people won't confide in one. Besides, office gossip has a way, mysteriously, of making its way to the gossip. Here, as in so many other areas, keep one’s mouth shut and one will stay out of trouble.

(18) If there's a lot of badmouth gossip in one’s office, especially about management, then start looking for another job. Poor morale nearly always arises from crummy management, and a company rife with gossip is on the verge of business collapse.

(19) Don't whisper with people in hallways or other public places. This looks sneaky and conspiratorial. Step into a room or out of people's earshot and then talk in a normal voice.

(20) Before one use anyone's name for a reference, be sure to get that person's permission. Since good professionals always check references, one’s failure to secure prior permission makes one’s reference worse than useless. Remember, all bosses detest unpleasant surprises.

(21) No matter what it takes, be on time for all business appointments. If possible, arrive a few minutes early. No matter how late one work, get to one’s job on time.

(22) strive one’s best to keep a deadline, especially one has promised. If one clearly cannot meet it, then apologize and ask for an extension. (People won't remember that work was a little late, but they'll remember if it was crummy.) Once one has gotten an extension, then that's it. Do whatever is necessary -- stay up late, call in outside help -- to turn in good work on time.

(23) If someone does a special favor for one (for example, gives time for a job interview), send a personal thank-one note within two days. Keep a supply of good-quality thank-one note cards or "monarch" stationery for this purpose.

(24) When one deal with professional people socially (especially physicians, accountants, and attorneys), don't ask for professional advice or otherwise talk shop.

(25) When one attends social occasions, always carry a couple of one’s business cards. But don't offer one to someone until the very end of a conversation, when one is parting, and only if it's clear that the new acquaintance might like to meet with one again sometime. Passing out cards gratuitously looks pushy and amateurish.

(26) If one is having a business lunch, don't start talking business until everyone has ordered food and drink. Make small talk until orders are taken.

(27) Generally speaking, it's better to avoid alcohol with lunch. A glass of wine is OK with the meal, but stay away from pre-lunch cocktails, especially strong ones. Have a tomato juice or similar concoction instead. Even moderate alcohol consumption, like excessive eating can take the edge off work performance in the afternoon. Things get blurry, and people notice.

(28) Don't use foul language in the workplace. If one does, people lose respect for one.

(29) Consciously or otherwise, people associate habitual foul-mouthed speech with childish self-centeredness or fundamental lack of self-control. Gratuitous vulgarity, moreover, often signals that someone is burdened with an addictive personality. That is, if one searched more closely, one’s find some other areas of life barely under control, or altogether out of control.

(31) Follow rules for telephone etiquette:
-- Speak with a normal, pleasant, courteous voice, especially when answering.
-- When calling someone one doesn’t know, identify one.
-- Always ask if this is a good time to talk.
-- If one foresee that one will have to leave a message on voice mail, have a brief,
clear message rehearsed, one that doesn't sound nervously improvised.
-- Return all phone calls promptly.
-- Limit personal calls to important matters only, and be brief.

(32) Don't take things personally. If some people are ill-tempered or rub one the wrong way, that's their problem, usually something in their private lives off the job. Don't let their problem become ones. Just shrug it off and stick to one’s job.

(33) Related to this, if one must correct someone, don't get personal about it. Correct the fault, not the person. Make the correction privately, never in front of others.

(34) Give praise only when it's deserved, and make it sincere. In some ways, insincere praise is worse than none at all.

(35) take care of the company's resources -- money, cars, office supplies, travel accommodations, computers -- as if they were one’s own. That is, don't abuse them and don't pilfer anything.

(36) Don't take problems to one’s boss unless one also proposes some considered solutions. Bosses don't need additional problems; they have enough as it is. What they need and want are solutions.

(37) Unless one is the boss, it's not one’s job to change company policies. If one finds policies or ongoing practices very hard to live with, don't complain. Just look for another job and try to leave on good terms. When one gets another job, don't badmouth one’s previous company or its management. Remember, bosses tend to sympathize with each other as a class. One’s (perceived) disloyalty to former employers would leave a bad taste and arouse mistrust.

(38) Sometimes people will pester one with complaints and perceived problems, and it's clear they just want to talk and talk. One can cut this annoyance short by asking, repeatedly if necessary, "So, how can I help one?"

(39) A business meeting should optimally have a clear, purposeful agenda that everyone understands beforehand. Stick to the point; a meeting should improve people's performance, not get in its way. At the end of a meeting, everyone should clearly understand what needs to be done next, and by whom.

(40) Every few months, take a couple of hours to think deeply about one’s career and one’s future. How are things going? Where am I headed? What opportunities might I be overlooking? Where do I want to be five years down the road? -- Have a file where one keeps notes on accomplishments to update one’s résumé, and do this at least twice a year.
An updated résumé is like a first-aid kit: if one needs it at all, one usually needs it in a hurry.

(41)as one move along Plan A of one’s career, maintain a Plan B as well -- an alternative career course to rely on if one suddenly must. If someone loses a job, he or she quickly needs to undertake thinking, planning, networking, and action. Maintaining a Plan B means doing one’s thinking, planning, and networking ahead of time, long before the emergency, so one can move swiftly into action. Be prepared for anything.

(42)conduct oneself all one’s life with the standards of right and wrong that one’s mother and father taught one since childhood. Don't do anything that would betray one’s parents' principles or bring them shame.

(43)always remember that the secret of success is passion. So think big. We tend to become what we think about. If one has high ambitions of service to people, starting with one’s family, one will be honored as an outstanding man and a great professional.

Following distinguished characteristics should also be reflected by a professional:

Body Language, Dress, Personal Grooming and Accessories

Unconsciously, we are constantly evaluating people and being evaluated by others in an unspoken way. Body language includes eye contact, posture, handshakes, facial expressions and voice intonations. Don’t underestimate this very important part of making a positive first impression with one’s co-workers, clients and supervisors.

Handshake

A strong and firm handshake (not bone crushing) can reflect that one are serious about the job and sincere about meeting the person. When one shakes a person’s hand after a meeting, it is a “thank one” gesture.

NB: In the lab, for cleanliness and sterilization reasons, one may skip the handshake when one meets someone at the work bench. Always wash one’s hands before exiting the lab.

Eye Contact

Give one’s undivided attention to the person with whom one is speaking. If there is a group of individuals make sure to make eye contact with all of the people involved in the conversation.

Posture

Make sure to sit or stand up straight and be alert. Try not to lean on a table, wall or anything else. NB: Don’t sit on lab work benches. Sit on one’s lab coat, even when using a chair in the lab.

Smiling and Voice Intonations

A smile will go a long way with one’s new coworkers. It will give the impression that one is interested in being there and more importantly, interested in talking with them. When one are talking to someone, make sure to be careful of sarcastic tones in one’s voice or tones that sound as though one are uninterested in what is going on.

What one wears and how one wears it are very important in making a positive first impression with one’s new co-workers, clients and boss. Initially, one’s dress is one’s representation of: who one is to people that are meeting one for the first time. After a while people may realize that these things don’t necessarily correspond, however, if one is grooming and dress on those first very important days are not neat, tidy and ‘professional’ they may have already formed a very harmful impression.

In all work place settings:

• Tone down perfume or cologne as many people have sensitivities or outright allergies to these scents

• Try to keep makeup, nail polish and jewelry to a minimum

• Be cautious about wearing clothing that may show tattoos or body piercings. The image may not be workplace appropriate

• Trim one’s beard and keep one’s hair and body clean

• Make sure clothing is clean, tidy and ironed (if needed)

• Breath mints, chewing gum, coffee, cigarettes – do one need them or should one tone them down?

• Dress in relation to one’s coworkers. Match what they wear to the office on a daily

Basis

Communication

Verbal

Learn industry and company lingo, but use proper English when speaking or writing

(I.e. memos, notes, reports and documents) Be assertive and try not to use too many

“umms” and “likes” in a sentence. By properly addressing a person (Dr., Professor,

Mr. Mrs. or Ms.) one show respect and professionalism. Never assume that someone will want one to use their first name, unless one are introduced as such, or told otherwise.

Written

With a university degree, one is expected to write with more advanced skills.

Formal writing and documentation are important in all work settings. Keep one’s work/lab notebook organized and up-to-date

Email and Internet

For email security, don’t use hotmail or yahoo for emailing work information. Use one’s company email account respectfully and only for business purposes. Email etiquette does exist. Minimize internet surfing during work hours and separate Face book or MSN chat time from work time. Some tips for making a professional impression when using email:

• Clearly summarize the contents of one’s message in the subject line.

• Don't use the CC (Carbon Copy) function to copy one’s message to everyone.

• When responding to e-mail, do not respond to all recipients, unless one absolutely need to.

• Use BCCs (Blind Carbon Copies) when addressing a message that will go to a large group of people who don't necessarily know each other. Just as it is not polite to give out a person's telephone number without his or her knowledge, it is not polite to give out someone's e-mail address.

• Keep one’s messages short and focused

• Avoid using all capital letters. IT’S THE EQUIVALENT TO SHOUTING IN

SPEECH

• Don't write anything one wouldn't say in public. If one doesn’t want to potentially share something one write, consider using the telephone.

• Don’t use emoticons in business emails.

• Avoid sending e-mails to large numbers of people unless one has a serious reason to do it. One could be accused of ‘spamming’

• Nasty e-mails should always be avoided.

• As a courtesy to one’s recipient, include one’s name at the bottom of the message.

• Check one’s spelling and grammar

• Consider using a signature at the bottom of one’s email. This will provide the recipient with all one’s contact information

• Although adding quotes to one’s signature is not widely accepted, if one does use these, make them appropriate and brief

Phone

Limit personal use of company phone. Speak clearly in one’s “work” voice; politely, sincere and not loud. Answer the phone properly (“Nestle Canada. Good morning, Linda speaking.”) And have an appropriate voice mail recording. Get the proper training for using special features on the phone. Take a message for someone who is unavailable and remember to thank the person who helped one take a phone message.

Get and Stay Organized

If one are the kind of person that has trouble keeping track of everything, then spend a few dollars and invest in a daily planner (or Google Calendar). One don’t want to be caught (especially in the first few weeks) missing a deadline or important meeting.

Write notes for oneself to remind one of important events that are occurring in the organization, meetings, deadlines and anything else that needs to be remembered.

Work a Full Day and Establish a Good Attendance Record

There’s nothing that can affect one’s reputation faster than routinely coming into work late or leaving work early. Especially in those first days/weeks on the job, be sure one get to work early and leave no earlier than when the majority of one’s co-workers leave.

Just as with working full days, it’s important to show up to work every day and establish a good attendance record. Of course one might get sick, or there may be an emergency, however, try to make it to work every day during those first few weeks/months on the job.

Keep one’s Boss Informed

Not that one have to go to one’s boss with every minor detail or problem that may have arisen since the last time one spoke, however, one should keep one’s boss informed of one’s progress, concerns or challenges within the first few weeks of being on the job. This will also help one build rapport with one’s new supervisor.

Show Appreciation

Nothing works like kindness and genuine appreciation. So, show one’s appreciation to everyone who helps one learn the ropes during one’s first days on the job -- from one’s coworkers and receptionists to the people in human resources.

Finding Meaning in the Workplace

Finding meaning in one’s work is one way of ensuring that one’s actions have the best interest of the organization at heart. The more invested one are in the work one and one’s organization do, the more likely that one will do everything one can to keep it moving forward and thriving. Professional behavior is a natural result of finding meaning in one’s work.

To help one find meaning, there are some things that one can do:

• Be motivated and challenge one

Ask for special assignments. Even if one are unsure of exactly what needs to be done.

Challenging oneself to learn new skills and abilities will help one during those times when one’s job may become routine. This will also go a long way in ensuring that one comes across as a productive member of the team. What one get out of the job is usually congruent with what one are willing to put into it.

• Identify possible career opportunities

Even if one has just begun one’s job, don’t make the mistake of becoming stagnant.

Conduct informational interviews with people in one’s field that are doing interesting work and learn from them. Attend conferences, read journals or magazines in one’s field and continue to expand one’s knowledge. Find a mentor – either within or outside of one’s organization. They can help one in determining future career paths and goals that one can set for oneself in the early stages of one’s career.

• Learn from one’s mistakes

Ask for feedback and learn how to improve. A mistake can offer one a great lesson – how not to do something in the future. Continuous learning is the key to success.

Being the newest member of the organization, is both challenging and exciting. One will be faced with both difficulties and opportunities, and one’s goal should be to make the most of all situations. Don’t forget that although one are just starting out in this organization, the impressions one make today, could possibly affect one’s entire career path. Remember, one may not only need these individuals to help one in one’s current position, one may actually need them for the next position in which one wants to apply. Each position one hold will act as a building block for further career choices one make. If one doesn’t have a solid foundation to begin with, one’s career may not grow as one had hoped and intended.

Professional Etiquette

Basic professional etiquettes can be the determining factor behind a rising/declining career graph. Here are some basic tips which will help one judge oneself as a well mannered professional.

Importance of Professional Etiquette
As a working professional it is expected from one to understand the culture of one’s workplace and thus, it becomes essential to follow some basic professional etiquette. The basis of professional etiquette stands on the ethics of respecting other individuals in one’s workplace and displaying courteous behaviors while business interactions. Professional etiquette can have long lasting and far fetched impact on professional life; be it one’s personal career growth or a rising business for one’s company. One’s professional etiquette can thus, put one in the good/bad book of one’s immediate boss or potential clients.

Basic Professional Etiquette Tips
Mentioned below are some basic professional etiquette tips which one can follow to make a great impact on everyone in one’s company.

Conversation Etiquettes

• Always listen to others attentively. A good listener is always dear to every client. Speak only when the other person has finished talking instead of interrupting in between.
• Keep a low but clear and calm voice while conversing. One’s tone should always be polite.
• While conversing always look into the eyes of the other person and avoid showing one’s back or looking elsewhere.
• Keep one’s conversations short and to the point instead of getting into irrelevant topics and discussions. Remember this is a business talk and not a family re-union.
• Maintain one’s sobriety and politeness even if the client speaks something offensive or rude and avoid replying back in harsh tone/words.
• Avoid fidgeting with one’s dress or putting one’s hands on the face while in a conversation.

Handshake Etiquettes

• When shaking hands always offer a firm handshake with one’s fingers titled down and one’s thumb up. However, ensure one’s handshake is not so firm that it crushes or hurts the other person’s hand. This indicates that one is dominant.
• Limit the time of handshakes to 2 to 3 seconds and take one’s hand back gracefully.
• Avoid patting on the back of the hand.
• While shaking hands, greet the person by looking into his/her eyes.

Dressing Etiquettes

• Always wear neat and nicely pressed formal clothes. Choose corporate shades while one are picking up clothes for one’s office wear.
• Women should avoid wearing exposing dresses and opt for little but natural make-ups. Men need to keep their hair (including facial hair) neatly trimmed and set.
• Always polish one’s shoes.
• Keep one’s nails clean.
• Wear clothes which one are comfortable in and can carry well. This is very important while one is in a business meeting or client presentation.

Introduction and Greeting Etiquettes

• When one is getting introduced, either shake hands or nod one’s head.
• If one is in charge of introducing other people always introduce the lower ranked person to the higher ranked one.
• When first introduced, stand up to meet or greet the person.

Electronic Communication Etiquettes

• While communicating with one’s colleagues, seniors or clients through emails, always address the person with ‘Dear’ ‘Hi’ or ‘Hello’ followed by a title (Mr./Mrs./Miss etc.) and his/her name and end one’s mail with ‘One’s Sincerely’ or ‘One’s Truly’, whatever suits best with one’s name and designation. Also, always mention a ‘Subject’ to all one’s official mails.
• Keep official mails preferably short and precise. However, if the subject demands elaborate details and explanations, go ahead but use a friendly formal language instead of a casual one.
• While speaking over telephones, always greet the other person while starting and ending the call. Always speak politely.
• Include one’s contact details and the date while sending faxes.
• While participating in conference calls introduce all the participants to each other at the beginning.

Dining Etiquettes

• Always are courteous while official dinners. Offer the seat to one’s guest first. If one is the guest, be punctual and thank the host for the dinner.
• Avoid opening one’s mouth and chewing food.
• Initiate conversations while waiting for the food.
• Avoid pointing the knife or fork towards the other person while eating and speaking.
• Allow one’s guest to select the menu and wine.
• If something unwanted has gone to one’s mouth, place the napkin in front of one’s mouth tactfully and bring it out instead if putting one’s hand inside the mouth to get rid of it.
• Avoid talking when there is food in one’s mouth.
• Learn the basic table manners before one go out to dine with a potential client or an important business meeting.

General Etiquettes

• Always be punctual at one’s workplace.
• Switch off or put one’s mobile/cell phones in silent mode while in a conference call, business meeting or corporate presentation. In case it is an urgent call which one need to take excuse oneself and take permission from the others for taking the call.
• Avoid digging one’s nose in public.
• Use handkerchiefs when one are coughing/sneezing in public.
• When in a meeting room, always stand up to greet the seniors of they arrive after one.
• Try to ignore and overlook funny or embarrassing sounds when in a meeting or official conversation.
• If one has forgotten somebody’s name ask him/her politely saying that one are sorry that one cannot remember the name.
• Always keep a comfortable distance while conversing with others. Avoid standing or sitting too close to the other person. An arm’s length would be ideal to maintain the comfort zone.
• Be careful while smoking and drinking when one have company. Find out if the person is comfortable with one’s smoking. Avoid excessive drinking when in a client meet.
• It would be nice if one hold the door for the person who is coming immediately behind one.

Importance of Professionalism in the Workplace
Why is professionalism important at the workplace?

Improved professionalism will not only ensure individual growth and development, but this new behavior will create more co-operation and respect; improved communication and higher performance in teams as well - and this in turn will uplift the entire organization through fundamental change in its culture - which involves shared assumptions, beliefs, values and norms, behavior and communication patterns. Edgar Schein wrote "Organizational culture is the key to organizational excellence and the function of leadership is the creation and management of culture…"

• Professionalism in the workplace is important to ensure good performance by all. If everyone is professional, everyone will do the best they can at their job.
• Professionalism in the workplace is required to ensure a good team spirit. If people work professionally, they will know how to value their organizational goals, along with their personal ones.
• Professionalism is required to keep all the employees motivated. Happy employees are positive brand ambassadors for the organization. Keeping the employees motivated is important to keep a good reputation in the office.
• It is important to ensure justice to everyone's efforts. In a professional environment, a person's quality of work is taken into consideration along with the quality of their work. This phenomenon does justice and appreciates the efforts of the employees.
• Professionalism in the workplace helps at maintaining the right amount of communication at the workplace. It also ensures that those who require to be heard are heard.

• Being a team player. This is a very well-known requirement for professionalism at work. A team spirit allows people to have their differences, yet follow the same goal. It requires an individual to give consideration to others, take suggestions and share credits.
• Having a pleasing personality. Besides work, professionalism at work requires one to have a pleasing personality. This helps keep the environment in the office, favorable and conducive. Let's face it, regularly seeing a person come shabbily to office will foster a very unprofessional atmosphere. Read more on professional dress code.
• Maintaining appropriate communication. Free communication and open door policies are all very conducive and welcoming at every workplace. However, this "freedom" has to be kept to a limit. Too much prying into personal life and friendships beyond the workplace as well as fraternization are completely against professionalism.

Following are the other top 5 important points that highlight on the importance of professionalism in the workplace.

1) Culture:

The presence of professionals in the workplace has a long bearing impact on the success of any organization. The presence of professionals molds a culture where work is given a prime importance. Every minute of their working schedule is focused on bringing exceptional results for the company. It is the no nonsense environment that not only motivates professionals but also the people who are associated with them.

2) Productivity:

Productivity is another important aspect that highlights the importance of professionalism in the workplace. Professionals are focused on the work that has been assigned to them and they do it with fineness within defined timelines. There productivity and results are in itself a benchmark that has viral effect on the success of the organization.

3) Quality:

Professionals know their work and they know how to deliver it with exceptional quality. They provide an unmatched quality that has no comparison. Their dedication to their work and the output itself has a touch of class that is nothing short of being impressive. When quality is the criteria professional know how to deliver the best.

4) Retention:

A professional environment is a catalyst in attracting new employees and retaining the existing one. A professional environment provides a good breathing space and enough opportunities for people to grow. A competitive and professional environment is an attractive factor just because the success of the individual depends upon their own actions and the results they deliver. They do not have to depend on others whims and fancies and neither have to become the victim of office politics.

5) Numbers:

It is all about numbers. If one have read my recent post Meaning of Numbers in our Lives one would realize how important numbers are for success of any organization. Professionals are foundation and they have ability not only to achieve numbers for themselves but for their organization too. Numbers help one quantify and professionals know how to steer them to their favor.

Professionalism is judged through:

1. Image

2. Business etiquette

3. Telephone and e-etiquette

4. Manners

5. Communication - verbal, non-verbal (body language) and written

6. Quality of Relationships

7. Competence

8. Responsibility and accountability

9. Trustworthiness

10. Empathy and compassion

11. Respectfulness

12. Emotional maturity

References

• www.etiquettehell.com

• www.etiquetteessentials.com

• “Professionalism in the Workplace Denise” By: Thornby RN, MS

• Messmer, Max. Managing Your Career For Dummies, 2000, IDG Books

Worldwide, Inc., Foster City, CA

• Quintessential Careers, http://www.quintcareers.com/first_days_working.html,

January 26th, 2006

• Redmond, Kathleen. Rules of Engagement for Communicating at Work: 5

Strategies for Decreasing Conflict and Increasing Collaboration. 2005, Engagement

Publishing, Toronto, ON.

· Professionalism Matters. Retrieved from http://www.professionalismmatters.com/services/workplace _professionalism.htm

.

· Thornsby, professionalism., Denise. Professionalism in the Workplace. Retrieved from www.esrdnetworks.org/networks/net5/Education/Staff/scm _pres/ professionalism .pdf. Thornsby

· Victoria, J. Workplace Professionalism: How To Leave Emotional Baggage Behind . Retrieved from http://www.sideroad.com/Human_Resources/professionalis m.html Joanne Victoria