Image & Professionalism we hear these words being thrown around in conversation like cheap tokens, almost as frequently as their counterparts quality, service, and value. So what does Image & Professionalism really mean, and what do you see when you look in the mirror? A funny thing happens when you overuse a word. It loses its power. It loses its effectiveness. Overuse weakens itsort of like tissue paper. Yuck! Now that was a bad analogy. Sure I could have changed it but I liked the image, it served to make a point. Soggy Tissue Paper One moment you were reading along, paying close attention, and then (in the words of Emeril), Bham! You had visions of soggy tissue paper floating through your mind. Now that was an image. Do I have a point? Sure I do. An image is a fragile thing and can be created and destroyed very easily. As the saying goes, if you dont actively create an image for yourself, someone else will. Permit me to share one definition of image: Persona, image -- ((Jungian psychology) a personal facade that one presents to the world; "a public image is as fragile as Humpty Dumpty") Hold on to that thought for a moment, I want to get to Professionalism. Heres the definition for that word: A set of characteristics or behaviours that are worthy of the high standards of an occupation that requires advanced training in a specialized field. Okay, so now you know the dictionary definitions, did they match yours? To the definition of professionalism Id add a professional is someone paid to render a service - unlike a volunteer who does not. Pay The Piper Now before you disagree with me and say youre a professional and a volunteer, Id challenge you to research the word a little further. Its this whole payment aspect that seems to pre-qualify the word. Also, pay attention to the requires advanced training component. If youre a highly trained paid individual then by definition you are a professional. If your actions are seen by others to mirror those qualities (in other words the image you portray) then you are seen as demonstrating professionalism. Of course there is that issue of worthiness, but lets not cloud things. If a Tree Falls In The Woods So does that mean if no one sees you acting professionally then youre not a professional? Its like the question about the tree falling in the woods, does it make a sound if no one is there? Does that mean someone could arbitrarily decide youre not worthy of the title? Does that mean that someone could come along and damage your image with negative comments? Sure it does. It means all these things and more. In fact the whole image and professionalism debate will most likely carry on for ever. At the end of the day the measure of a person will always be, to some degree, externally defined by the opinions and observations of others. Whos Watching? However the real test of your character because that after all is what were really talking about here is defined by what you do when no one is watching. Its how you act when the chips are down. Its how you speak to others when youre tired and low, and as an unknown author once said, Dont be content with being average. Average is as close to bottom as it is to the top. Be excellent! So what do you see when you look in the mirror? |
