Professionalism 101

There are some things that, in a professional setting, you should already know and practice.  However, it has come to my attention that not everyone graduated from the same School of Common Sense, so in my extreme desire to maintain  my community service hours I've come up with a crash course on professionalism. 

The word professionalism means the conduct, aims, or qualities having interest and desire to do a job well as holding a positive attitude towards the profession. 

 Here are a few tips...feel free to add:

Be Direct!
*No need to sugar-coat. Be specific with expectations of others. Say what you mean and mean what you say!
*Don't leave room for misinterpretation. Stick to what you expect and have a back-bone when a professional decision is questioned.
Be positive!
*Take CONSTRUCTIVE Criticism
Proofread
*How ebarasssing to hce misspelled weeds! <--Precisely why spell AND grammar check are necessities
Be Articulate!
*Nothing worse than listening to someone mispronounce words or not know how to accurately explain themselves.
Disagree Amicably
*You wont always agree, be right or get your way; however, remember you're in a professional setting! *Don't roll eyes, huff and puff or storm off as if you're six years old on a playground (no offense to those mature six year olds)
*Don't be sarcastic (if they have a mouth like mine) you may get your feelings hurt.
Be Prompt
*To be early is to be on time and to be on time is to be late and to be late is unacceptable.
Be tolerable
Read your contract
*Know your job, your role and your responsibilities! When you do, you're not easily influenced nor swindled into a position you're not comfortable with!
*In a professional setting know your rights! Stick by them.
When offended address the issue head-on
*If the offense made you angry; if it doesn't primarily affect your life or livelihood give yourself a cool-off period in order to maintain composure!

Here's to a  more professional, POSITIVE and productive working environment!