Focus on being a consummate professional
I ALWAYS remind myself that life is a series of ups and downs. I have learnt that I need fortitude during the times when I am down, and I need gratitude in good times.
This past week has been one of those enjoyable “up” times. I am grateful to have married someone who is deeply committed to up-skilling.
Her desire for continued learning took her to the beautiful city of Cairns, Australia, to attend a conference for holistic veterinarians. The conference was held by the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society (IVAS).
Yes, there is such a global body, and it does sterling work in the field of alternative and complementary medicine. About 150 doctors from around the world got together to discuss holistic veterinary medicine modalities.
My wife, Susanna, met likeminded practitioners, exchanged ideas on various treatment regimes, and generally had an excellent time learning.
The really good part for me was that I got to tag along. I was the plus-one, the doctor’s spouse, at this conference.
After the conference, we headed off to beautiful Hamilton Island. This is the only inhabited island amongst the Whitsundays on the Coral Sea.
Throughout my vacation, the most striking thing for me has been the professionalism in the service industry there. The excellence of any service is dependent on the people you interface with. I better understood the significance of delivering an outstanding customer experience, more than ever.
It was not Australia that made the holiday lovely, but its people, who represented the country so amazingly well.
I want to share with you why and how you can be professional at work, too.
Always remember that you want to get ahead at work. Thus, you must concentrate on increasing your personal value. And for this, you need your bosses to know that you are an asset to your company, and to your industry.
For example, nearly everyone I met here would be a tremendous talent in any one of the businesses that I own. Instantly, this increases their personal value. In fact, on this trip, I offered two people I met jobs in Malaysia.
What does it take to be professional at work? Follow these three personal leadership rules!
The first rule is to focus on your competencies. You must be good at what you do, and you must have the skills and knowledge that will enable you to do your work well.
For example, we had dinner at a Mexican restaurant on Hamilton Island, called Tako. The food was excellent. But even more so was our server, Patrice. She greeted us with genuine warmth and proceeded to explain the uniqueness of the restaurant and the best way to experience the menu. She made our experience exceptional. Patrice exemplified professionalism by being competent.
The next rule is to always be reliable. It is one of the most sought-after values in any employee.
On our trip, we went on a few excursions, and on each, we were picked up on time, and the promised service was delivered without compromise.
In Cairns, we booked a Segway tour to the Botanical Gardens. Our guide, Craig Chalmers, was absolutely reliable. He expertly taught us how to handle the Segway. He focused on giving us the best experience. And, all the while, he was funny, engaging and full of local knowledge.
Craig showed professionalism by his reliability.
The third and final rule, is that you must stay work-focused at all times. Everyone has problems, of that there’s no doubt. But none of the people we met on our trip allowed their problems to impact their attitude at work.
We took a catamaran to go see the Great Barrier Reef. While the view of the reef was spectacular, the water was a tad cold. So, Susanna and I opted for massages on the pontoon instead. Our masseuse was the lovely and skilled Tamara. Can you imagine having to work beside arguably one of the most spectacular sea views on the planet? But, there was not an ounce of irritation in her voice after being told that she had to work while the rest of us were basking in the sunshine.
Tamara is a professional because she is completely focused when at work.
Become professional. Do it because you understand how important it is. See your personal value grow leaps and bounds, once you make this your nature.
The writer is managing consultant and executive leadership coach at EQTD Consulting. He is also the author of the national bestseller “So, You Want To Get Promoted?”
Become professional. Do it because you understand how important it is. See your personal value grow leaps and bounds, once you make this your nature.