Lecture Notes: Professionalism in the Workplace

Introduction to Professionalism

• Importance of obtaining a degree
  • A step towards becoming a professional
  • More to professionalism than just finishing school and getting a job
• Professionalism is beyond talent and skill
  • Lack of professionalism can limit career opportunities
  • Professionalism impacts personal and company reputation

Understanding Professionalism

• Professionalism involves expertise and image
  • Can you communicate effectively and appropriately?
  • Trust in professionalism is crucial for career advancement

Areas of Expertise

• Recognized Knowledge
  • Certifications are important for hiring and promotions
  • Continuously update your knowledge and skills
  • Understand the theory and current best practices in your discipline
  • Be a trusted problem solver
  • Know the process before and after your job role
  • Build trust with leadership through thoroughness

Image and Appearance

• Dress for success
  • Be presentable to your company’s best customer
  • Dress appropriately for remote work environments
  • Quality of clothing matters for perception of success
• Social and Etiquette Skills
  • Essential for professional interactions and customer relations

Communication Skills

Written Communication

• Everything you write represents you professionally
• Know the appropriate medium for communication
• Powerful writing should provoke action and strong opinions
• Structure and context are key in professional reports
  • Use templates and existing great structures for reports
  • Provide adequate context for unfamiliar readers
• Resources for improving business communication

Verbal Communication

• Running effective meetings reflects professionalism
  • Ensure the right people are present
  • Maintain agenda and focus
  • Recap decisions, actions, and responsibilities
• Delivering professional presentations
  • Confidence and proficiency are crucial
  • Achieve the objective of the presentation effectively

Conclusion

• Professionalism is a rewarding journey
• Commitment to developing professionalism is encouraged