What is professionalism - Essay Example

Arpit Waghmare Client Academia 6th April 2006 What is professionalism There are various parameters by which one can evaluate professionalism. Result orientation: A great difference between professional attitudes as against non-professional ones is the commitment to deliver results. An amateur will give himself much leeway and allow for non-performance. He usually has several reasons to justify. A professional on the other hand does not believe in making excuses. He considers it his job to perform in spite of the hurdles.

A certain degree of ruthlessness A professional is first ruthless with himself and this ruthlessness will extend to his partners, employees and clients. Since the primary focus is getting results, other considerations (apart from ethical and humanitarian ones as we will see later) are less important. Beyond emotions, prejudices and opinions When a professional has agreed to a certain objective for himself, he goes about that business without consideration for emotions, prejudices or opinions.

If a professional bodyguard has undertaken to protect another individual, even the bodyguards own friends or those he sympathizes with will not be allowed to harm his client. A policeman will not flinch even if he has to arrest his own mother in the line of duty. A footballer will score goals even against his old club for whom he played for many years. A lawyer who dislikes homosexuals will defend his homosexual client to the best of his ability. High standards irrespective of situation A professional's standards do not change even if the clients change or even if the clients expectations are lower.

He does not tolerate lowering of quality in his work. Many times a professional will refuse to take work which is below his standards. Edward B Toupin sums this up in a raw definition of professionalism, ""a focused, accountable, confident, competent, motivation toward a particular goal, with respect for hierarchy and humanity, less the emotion." (2002) On the other hand a professional is not a robot or a machine. In spite of the ruthlessness that has been described earlier towards quality there is sensitivity towards ethical and humanitarian considerations.

Bodies like lawyers bars state and monitor standards of professionalism for their profession. The Oregon State bar states, "Professionalism includes integrity, courtesy, honesty, and willing compliance with the highest ethical standards. Professionalism goes beyond observing the legal profession's ethical rules: professionalism sensitively and fairly serves the best interests of clients and the public." (1991) The University Of Kansas School Of Medicine states, "While knowledge and technical skills are crucial in medicine and science, the manner in which they are used is equally important.

In addition to competence in their field, all medical professionals must strive to retain those humanistic qualities - integrity, respect, and compassion - that constitute the essence of professionalism." (2001) To sum up we can say that on one hand professionalism is a focused striving towards excellence in ones engagement but on the other hand there is also a high emphasis on values. The combination of these makes for that special person who we call a true professional. References Toupin, Edward. B. "ProfessionalHow do I get one" Selfgrowth.2002. 6 Apr 2006.

"Statement of professionalism." Welcome to the Oregon State Bar Website. Oregon State Bar. 5 Oct 1990, 6 Apr 2006, "Professionalism Initiative." University of Kansas Medical Center. The University of Kansas School of Medicine. Aug 2001, 6 Apr 2006,