When you say someone is professional, what do you mean? We had quite the discussion about this at one
of our meetings this week, when two profs from University of Guelph came to ask
our opinion.
Knowing they were coming, I’d actually given the topic some
thought and found it interesting, that it was far easier for me to come up with
what is unprofessional – like being late for a meeting, neglecting to say thank
you when you’ve received some help, being indiscreet, or crossing boundaries from
professional to personal.
When we delved into this further, there was much
conversation about social media, and
Facebook in particular, being the downfall of some folks, who reveal and share
way too much personal information, and thereby diminish their standing and
regard by others. Employers just have
to check out their Facebook page, and jobs are lost or careers railroaded.
So what does professional behaviour look like? We felt it was about respect, and not just
how you treat people, but the environment and how you communicate with others.
It’s about follow up – delivering on your promises. It’s having and holding true to a high
standard in your career. It’s acknowledging the contributions of others. And it’s also how you show up in the world –
as a person and yes, in how you dress.
The consensus was that Casual Friday has done nothing to
enhance the professionalism in the workplace.
In fact, someone remarked that we’ve lost our sense of occasion – when
we’d dress up to go out for dinner or a birthday party.
This whole dialogue was a prelude to our next topic – one on
values and how our values impact and need to reflect our brand. Two fairly connected topics in a way, as both
hold us to our intentions and as women, often our need to be authentic.
But values are not something we likely give much thought to
as we embark on this world of entrepreneurship, and yet we can quickly discover
that they impact what we do and won’t do within our business. It therefore behooves us to think and reflect
on what values we hold close and which would be deal-breakers.
I know for myself integrity, honesty, respect and ethical
behaviour are all strong values for me and I’ve been in situations when that
line has been crossed, and I’ve had to make tough decisions. In one instance, I quit the project because I
did not want to be part of what, in my view, was unethical. On another occasion I ended a business
partnership as I didn’t like the way she treated my team.
But the other part of digging deep on your values, is that
they may well be the deciding factor for a potential client on why they want to
go with you, rather than someone else.
So your marketing, your brand and your website presence needs to convey
what you hold near and dear.
How do you do that?
By using the words that describe your values in your marketing materials. By being the leader and role modeling your
values to others. For example, if giving
back is important to you, showcase what you do in the community to make a
difference. Have giving back be an
integral part of your website. Foster it in your employees – give them time off
to volunteer. Involve them in your philanthropic
activities.
We covered a lot of ground in two hours, and I know we all
left with plenty to think about, and to do in terms working authentically,
professionally and with integrity within our businesses.
Self-awareness is important – it’s time well-spent. I encourage you to delve in and reflect. Ask
yourself about your values? How do you
convey them to the world, and are you true to them? What does professional mean to you?
Let us know, it would be fun to keep this dialogue going.