Putting the Finger on Professionalism

Being professional is a tough thing to put a finger on. My personal opinion is that a professional attitude is one where you give the impression of authority and expertise, answering the person’s questions with confidence.

That doesn’t mean being short and snappy, though. That also doesn’t mean sounding condescending or untouchable. One-liner emails that smack of pretentiousness aren’t going to work, nor are short messages that sound angry instead of professional.

Add a friendly air to your tone. Be approachable and open while you answer questions or discuss a project. After all, we’re all people when the business day is over. Being professional means knowing what you’re talking about, having the answers, but it also means being able to relate to others in a way that makes them want to do business with you.

Let your personality show through while maintaining the image of being a pro, and you’ll go farther – at least with me. I’ve known people that carry off an air of professionalism while mentioning they’re vacationing in an RV in a bug-infested forest or about to slip on some shorts to head to the beach.

They’re pros, sure, and they’re human, too. They can relate to me on a personal basis as well as a professional one. I like that. They don’t sound like machines, robots, or cold people in an even colder office.

People who are professional can easily let me know they’re on vacation or enjoying their weekend, and I can just as easily picture them sitting in the office, handling my affairs with expertise. Being professional is conveying an image through the way you handle your business – it doesn’t mean you have to be straight-laced and prim.

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