Professionalism & Business Etiquette

Summary

This module emphasizes the importance of professionalism in both work and academic contexts. It outlines the multifaceted nature of professionalism, including personal qualities, competence, and conduct. The script provides strategies for managing professional relationships, maintaining proper etiquette, and handling workplace conflicts effectively. It also addresses the nuances of professional behavior in virtual settings, such as virtual meetings and email communication, and underscores the value of seeking and applying feedback for continuous improvement.

Takeaways

• 📜 Professionalism encompasses confidence, reliability, polish, and politeness, as well as ethical behavior and clear communication.
• 🎓 In both work and academic contexts, professionalism is essential for success, with 97.5% of employers valuing it highly.
• 🗣️ Project confidence through your voice by speaking with energy, enthusiasm, and conviction, and maintain a positive tone.
• 🏢 Adhere to proper etiquette in the workplace, avoiding gossip and politics, and being punctual and present.
• 🤝 Practice common courtesy by being respectful, encouraging, sensitive to diverse needs, and maintaining confidentiality.
• 📱 Consider the appropriate use of personal devices and the boundaries of personal conversations in a professional setting.
• 💻 Be mindful of your body language, personal attire, and online presence to convey a professional image.
• 📅 Prepare for virtual meetings by ensuring a proper background, lighting, and camera setup, and be punctual.
• ✉️ Send professional emails with proper language, spelling, context, and clear subject headings to demonstrate your professionalism online.
• 🤼‍♂️ Manage workplace conflict effectively by discussing issues directly, focusing on behaviors and events, and seeking mutual agreements.
• 🔄 Ask for and act on feedback proactively to show your commitment to professional growth and improvement.

Q & A

What are the key aspects of professionalism?

The key aspects of professionalism include personal qualities, level of competence, and conduct in both job and other settings. It involves being confident, reliable, polished, polite, ethical, articulate, organized, and thoughtful.

Why is professionalism important for career success?

Professionalism is crucial for career success because a career readiness survey conducted by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found that 97.5% of employer respondents identified professionalism and work ethic as essential for new college graduates' success.

How can one project confidence through their voice?

One can project confidence through their voice by speaking with energy, enthusiasm, and conviction while also paying attention to their tone to ensure it is positive.

What are some proper etiquette practices in the workplace?

Proper etiquette practices include avoiding gossip and politics, being punctual, minimizing absences especially in North American workplaces, and asking questions or for help when unsure of what to do.

How can one demonstrate common courtesy in a professional setting?

Demonstrating common courtesy involves being respectful and encouraging, being sensitive to diverse needs and opinions, and ensuring confidentiality especially when handling sensitive information.

What should be considered when determining appropriate behavior in personal versus professional settings?

Considerations include how and when to use personal phones, expectations for social media use and web browsing during work time, and how personal conversations with colleagues may impact others in an open work area.

What are some ways to exhibit positive body language in professional interactions?

Positive body language can be exhibited through good posture, maintaining eye contact, avoiding fidgeting, and showing engagement and attentiveness in both in-person and online settings.

How does professional attire contribute to demonstrating professionalism?

Professional attire contributes to demonstrating professionalism by adhering to the dress code appropriate for the work environment, type of occasion, and company norms, and by being more formal than too casual when in doubt.

What are some tips for making a professional impression in virtual meetings?

Tips include being mindful of your background, ensuring proper lighting and camera setup, logging into meetings early, avoiding eating on calls, and troubleshooting possible technology issues before the meeting starts.

How can one effectively manage workplace conflict?

Effective conflict management includes talking directly with the other person, focusing on behaviors and events rather than blaming, actively listening, identifying points of agreement and disagreement, and finding a mutually beneficial resolution.

Why is asking for feedback considered a professional behavior?

Asking for feedback shows your supervisor and colleagues that you are proactive about improving your skills and ready to take responsibility for your performance.