Recognising a competent professional

DEDICATION, COMMITMENT, a high level of knowledge and an attitude that inspires confidence. The doctor who brings a wide range of experience and up-to-date knowledge to his task, handling patients with tact and approaching diagnoses with careful consideration of the facts. The news reporter who pays no attention to the possibility of personal harm in pursuing and presenting an important story. The secretary whose files are neatly stored, accessed at a moment's notice, who speaks into the phone in a polite, measured but friendly tone.

These are the kinds of people we describe as ``totally professional'' in the way they do their jobs. Professionalism is in high demand these days. Companies and organisations are paying a premium for people they can depend on for their professionalism, no matter what the nature of the job. We hear the term often enough, but do we really understand what it means? Often, professionalism is described in very superficial terms-the way one dresses and speaks, for instance. But professionalism is more than skin deep. It describes an attitude to work, a way of doing things and a way of being.

``Professionalism to me is having a clear idea of the task to be done, the ability to create a plan of action with a time line and budget, and to implement it,'' says S.V.L Narayan, head of corporate communications of a large IT firm.

``It's doing any job to the best of your ability, without being told, and with no excuses. It's taking pride in your work,'' says S. Upendran, who teaches at an institution of higher education.

``Professionalism is delivering what you're committing to offer competently and on time,'' explains K. Chandarasekhar, an architect and building consultant.

Dr. K. Gayatri, a pathologist, goes a little further in her definition: ``It is delivering what is right by the standards of my professional code, not simply catering for customer demand. It means knowing what is appropriate and being able to fulfil the quality standards of the area, in a way that withstands scrutiny from the profession.''

``It is possessing the knowledge of your area of work, and the ability to apply that knowledge to practical situations,'' says Deepa Chattopadhyay, editor and product manager at a publishing house. ``It involves a sense of belonging to the profession, and being able to meet set standards in every way.''

Having given you enough interpretations of the word to make your head reel, perhaps we can step back and look at the elements that make a professional. Almost all the definitions given above referred to the ``performance'' aspect of professionalism, coupled with the ``knowledge'' aspect. To be a real professional in any area, one must have a firm grasp of the field itself. There are no shortcuts here. You must educate yourself as thoroughly as possible in the area, so that you have a very good understanding of the ideas and facts that make up the field. You need to be a continuous learner, keeping up with new developments in the field.

Second, you must be able to apply those ideas and concepts to your work. A doctor who has only textbook knowledge of medicine cannot be a professional; neither can an editor who knows the language well but has no idea how to create a book that will sell.

Third, you must have the ability to make realistic assessments of what is required in a situation and deliver it ``competently'', bringing to your task all the knowledge and skill you possess. This ultimately is what measures performance. In addition, there are the minor but nevertheless important surface details: carrying oneself well and in accordance with the mores of the professional community, being punctual and courteous, and by recognising and respecting other kinds of expertise. ``Being `professional' is often equated with being cold and unemotional,'' says Deepa. In fact, it is not about being devoid of emotion, but doing one's work without letting it get affected by emotion or personal issues.

Basically, then, professionalism combines attitude with knowledge and skill. How do you develop a professional attitude? For one, you do not have to wait until you enter a profession, or even until you choose one. A professional approach goes a long way in helping you succeed at anything, whether it is at school level academics or extracurricular activities.

Professionalism includes sincerity in approaching any task, respecting the work and the people involved in it, and being realistic about what you can do and how you can do it. Defined this way, it's easy enough to see how one can develop professionalism in relation to any task or group of activities - studies, housework, hobbies and your job. Of course, this does not mean you go overboard with seriousness.

You should at the same time develop a sense of perspective - you should know what is important when, and act accordingly. If you begin to be organised about your work at school and college, and attempt early on to get projects finished on time and well, you're on track to becoming a professional - no matter what profession you end up in.

USHA RAMAN

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