Talking Stick - September/October 2013 - 41

our professionals to find ways to leave
their mark; the downfall is they want to
see it. What I tell my staff is that leaving
your mark is like making a mosaic.
It’s a collective of a lot of little, bright,
colorful pieces strategically placed on
a wall. If you are standing right next to
the wall . . . you can’t see the full extent
of what the mosaic looks like. If you
step away from the wall . . . you can
see the beauty of the work, and you can
actually see where your mark fits.”

Personal Attributes of
true Professionals
Whether you’re starting off as a new
professional, beginning tenure in a
new position, or turning over a new
leaf, every day is a new opportunity to
become more like the quintessential
professional you aspire to be. The do’s
and don’ts offered below may provide
some practical guidance on getting
there.

“Please, don’t”
An extension of defining the
aspirational qualities of a professional
is describing those associated with
being unprofessional. According to
a study conducted by the Center for
Professional Excellence at York College
of Pennsylvania, “2013 Professionalism
in the Workplace,” the unprofessional
employee is characterized most often
by the following qualities.
lack of focus. In recent years, the
difficulties in staying focused, especially
in meetings, have increased because
of the immediacy of communication
devices. Attention in meetings is
easily disrupted by anyone preoccupied
with using smart phones or texting.
The convenience of technology can
also prompt us to use it when other
means of communication would be
better or more effective. Ask yourself,
“Is this the best use of my time?” and
“Is this the most effective means of
communication for the conversation at
hand?”
Inappropriate appearance. Fashion
mavens may be few and far between,

but beyond the adage “dress to
impress” all should be advised, at the
minimum, not to dress in a way that
distracts. The Center for Professional
Excellence study notes that the
“influence of attire and appearance
goes beyond the hiring process. It has
an impact on the perception of one’s
competence.” Simply said, be strategic
about the ways in which you call
attention to yourself.
poor work ethic and lack of time
management. Show up. Be prepared.
Participate. Do your homework. Be
thorough and timely. Be mentally
present in all meetings and
conversations. Jeremy Foley, long-time
athletics director at the University
of Florida in Gainesville, once said,
“I know that I must have been lucky
somewhere along the way, but honestly,
90 percent of my success has come
from coming to work every day and
working hard – all day, every day.”
apathy. Whether you are in your
dream position or one that is not
quite the right fit, it is important
to act (and work) like you care.
Successful professionals demonstrate a
commitment to their work that is both
productive and contagious.

“You have to
be responsible
for your own
experience. Ask
for what you need,
and, if it’s not
available, and not
accessible from
others, use that
information to
either adjust your
expectations or
to make different
choices about
your next work
environment.”

Sense of entitlement. The Center
for Professional Excellence study
notes that many applicants “feel they
have paid their dues by graduating.
Students have the right to feel
joyous about graduating. . . . It is an
accomplishment about which one
should be proud. However. . . . the
degree does not entitle the recipient to
anything. . . . An attitude that cannot
fail is ‘no one owes you anything.’”
disrespect and rudeness. This is
an area where we in academia tend to
think of ourselves as being above it.
While overt outward demonstrations
may be less common overall, the truth
is that whining, gossiping, jealousy,
and laying blame occur in all work
environments. Individuals who engage
in such behavior are likely to earn a
professional reputation that is far less
than positive.
SEPTEMBER + OCTOBER 2013

41
Talking Stick - September/October 2013

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