Professionalism - Establshing Your Emotional Patience
Featured /How do you define your level
of professionalism? Is it based on your patience, performance under pressure,
manners, personal charisma, beliefs, or is it a deeper sense of awareness and
commitment to take the high road in all you do? Certainly how you physically
and emotionally handle yourself under stress and pressure, and how you
effectively communicate in the midst of any stress and pressure contributes to
an understanding of how emotionally patient, and how professional you are. To
exude professionalism is to display a personal pride in yourself with an
understanding that being humble is also part of the process. A person
exemplifying genuine professionalism is never arrogant and understands that
their professional behavior can have a positive, calming, and educational
impact on those around them.
Professionalism is defined as, "professional
character, spirit or methods." I believe all three of those elements
relate to the behavioral component of professionalism as much as the
occupational component. A doctor may be exceptional in his or her specific
field of practice, but if they lack professionalism it will have a detrimental
impact on the doctor-patient relationship. If a coach knows his or her sport,
but displays a lack of professionalism, it will ultimately negatively impact
team morale and performance. Professionalism is not the job you do, it is how
you do your job. As German philosopher Goethe said, “Behavior is a mirror in
which everyone displays his own image.”As it relates to character, you do not
respect someone who cannot maintain their level of professionalism in demanding
situations, and they lose credibility. Who wants to associate with, or
respects, an unprofessional individual? In respect to those in public service,
it is completely evident how a lack of professionalism can destroy a career in
an instant.
The development of one’s professionalism is significantly
influenced by one’s past, upbringing and family relationships because of
possible dysfunctional and codependent behavior patterns that were established
growing up. When there is a history of emotional turmoil a defense mechanism is
established to avoid any further similar emotional turmoil in the future. As an
adult, this defense mechanism rears its ugly head when a situation may exist
that triggers those past harmful emotions. For example, if you are vulnerable
to a feeling of inadequacy because of how you were parented, and a situation or
dialogue presents itself where you feel inadequate, you are less likely to
maintain your professionalism. As a child, if you perceived others not
valuing who you were and developed a need to be appreciated, when a situation
or dialogue presents itself where you feel unappreciated you are less likely to
maintain your professionalism. As a result in both instances, you become
emotionally impatient as evidenced by potentially abusive verbal and physical
behavior.
In evaluating your professionalism ask yourself, "In what situations
am I, or have I, been the most emotionally impatient or unprofessional? What are
the roots of that emotional impatience? Do I, and have I, taken ownership for
the aftermath of my behavior where I have been emotionally impatient? Taking
personal accountability, and implementing the core vales that reflect the
positive characteristics you believe in, is key to enhancing and maintaining
your professionalism. The more those beliefs are virtuous, to include decency
and respect, the greater level of professionalism you will display.
Professionalism is also an educational process. There are certain behavioral characteristics that can be taught which contribute to a greater level of individual professionalism. Manners, proper etiquette, appropriate attire, effective communication, respectful behavior, and consideration of others are all areas that can be taught in the process of becoming more professional. An individual’s level of professionalism is a culmination of putting into practice the values, experiences, successes and failures of one’s life. Be that professional, and positive example every day in all you do. It is an example that is sorely needed and will be respected by those you parent, manage, lead and love.
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