As a professional, you do everything you can to remain professionally relevant and competitive. How well you communicate, your interpersonal skills, and ability to make decision-making and solve problems would be high on a list of desireable proficiencies. Other attributes and skills that denote true professionalism are transferable to any profession and certainly cross over into many other areas of your life.
These six key qualities/proficiencies denote a true professional: competence, accountability, integrity, respect, resourcefulness, and interpersonal intelligence.
As a professional you get the job done to the best of your ability. You pay attention to the details that matter and are industrious. You show up for work or meetings on time and fully prepared because you plan ahead. You do not let your ego get in the way of assessing your strengths and weaknesses and you are willing to take whatever action is necessary to acquire specialized knowledge and gain the experience to be effective in your job. No one would ever say that you were afraid to get down in the trenches to perform menial tasks. If a task falls outside your scope of expertise, you are not afraid to admit it and seek help. You are always eager to do it better and curious to learn new ways to do things. You take the initiative and are willing to go an extra mile to be useful in solving a problem or taking on challenges. You are valued because you share your knowledge and expertise to help others in the workplace.
Your professionalism does not allow you to settle for mediocre performance. You maintain high standards because you are committed to uphold agreed practices and values, but you are not only accountable to others. Your professionalism is an essential part of who you are. You hold yourself accountable for your thoughts, words, and actions.
You are reliable, honest and keep true to your word. You do not make a promise that you do not expect to keep. Your clients and colleagues trust you implicitly because you behave ethically at all times. They know you will not compromise your values even if it means taking a more difficult path.
You have good manners. No matter what the situation you show respect for the emotions and needs of others. Even in difficult situations and under extreme pressure you are able to keep your emotions and impulses under control. You deal with people in a calm cool manner and do everything that can be done to make those situations right. You never let a bad day impact how you interact with colleagues or clients. You accept and reflect on feedback, manage setbacks and challenges with a positive and constructive attitude. This allows you to turn difficult situations into opportunities.
You have a “can-do” attitude. You are not sidetracked by failure or difficulties that bring most people to a screeching halt. You never give up. No matter what chaos the world throws at you in your career or personal life you are able to adapt. This is because you are resourceful and have good decision-making and problem solving abilities.
This is your capacity to understand and interact effectively with others. It does involve how effectively you communicate, verbal and nonverbally, but more importantly it is the patience and sensitivity you have for the moods and feelings of others as well as your openness to their needs and views. Your interpersonal intelligences is what allows you to navigate and resolve conflict, make good decisions, solve problems and foster cordial relationships for networking, collaboration and expanding you think group.
Flexible thinking allows
you to think about something in more than one way. It plays a key role in reducing anxiety, as well as not being overwhelmed or stifled by unpredictable circumstances in
your life or workplace.
Inspiration can strike when you least expect it, but that is an inefficient way to develop an idea or approach decision-making and problem solving. Instead, try one of these 7 quick and easy individual brainstorming techniques.
To make sense of our lives we love to use metaphors. The swing paints a perfect picture for understanding life's continuous flow, its' 's up and downs, striving toward a career achievement, building something, staying motivated, and mental health.
There is only so much energy you can muster, and few hours in the day. One of the most serious causes of work stress and unhappiness is failing to keep commitments. Are you making extraneous social or commitments that are affecting your well-being?
With the right sensory technique you will feel a sense of assuredness and always have a rescue tool to relieve stress on the spot. What is your sensory resuce toolbox?
As a professional, you want to get the job done – and done well. You also want to keep advancing and identify opportunities. This easy pen and pencil tool can help you with a plan.
