Leadership VS Professionalism

Nonofo M.B. Makabe
LUCT Campus

It seems that professionalism is at least partially about respecting other people as you go about your work, and respect is clearly an aspect of ethics. But professionalism is more than this. More than once, I've heard the opinion that professionalism, simply stated, means doing what is right. Is that not what integrity and the application of your ethical standards are all about? Of course it is. But its more than that.

In his book 'True Professionalism: The courage to Care about Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career', writer David Maister suggests that...

...professionalism is predominantly an attitude, not a set of competencies...real professionalism

has little, if anything, do to with which business you are in, what role within that business you perform,

or how many degrees you have. Rather it implies pride in work, a commitment to

quality, a dedication to the interests of the client, and a sincere desire to help.

It seems that cultivating professionalism as a personal quality is one of the ways you can move toward an ethical approach to your work in Public Relations, (Parsons, 2004). During my internship, I noticed that there was a few 'errors' in the leadership. I believe that a leader should also have respect for his/her employees. My supervisor's leadership was undermined by the one who was more superior than her. It is not professional to argue or tell someone that they are not doing their job in front of other workers.

MEASURING YOUR PROFESSIONALISM QUOTIENT

Based on what professionalism as a characteristic is perceived to be, you might consider your own level of professionalism. The following questions are just a brief test to get you started thinking about your own level of professionalism as it relates to your ethical standards.

Measuring your PQ*

(*Professionalism Quotient)

1. Do you always treat people you work with (including bosses, clients, people you manage) with respect you expect to be afforded?
a)  always

b)  usually

c)  rarely

d)  never

2. Are you courteous in your communication (even on the phone and in e-mail) with other?

a)  always

b)  usually

c)  rarely

d)  never

3. Do you do every assigned task to the best of your ability?

a)  always

b)  usually

c)  rarely

d)  never, if I cam get away with it

4. Do you do what you know to be right from a moral perspective?

a)  always try

b)  only when I think someone might be looking

c)  I do what is right to me

d)  I couldn't care less about doing the right thing

5. Do you keep up to date on what's going on in the field of Public Relations?

a)  Yes, I'm dedicated to continuing education both formally & informally

b)  I try to. I read the trade literature

c)  I read stuff when I get a chance

d)  Why should I? I know enough

Here's how to score yourself: Give yourself five points for every A, three for a B, one for a C and no points for a D.

25 points: You truly demonstrate professionalism. You would be a good role model for neophyte public relations practitioners. Most employers would be proud to have you on their stuff.

21-24 points: You are not quite there. You probably consider yourself to be a professional, but you don't quite have what it takes to demonstrate what others would describe unconditionally as professionalism. Sometimes just being aware of your shortcomings can move you toward fixing them.

18-20 points: You need some professionalism intervention. It's time to re-examine your personal ethics and your work ethic, but there is probably hope.

Under 18 points: Are you aware that you might be contributing to public relations' less-than-spotless reputation? (Parsons, 2004).

References

Maister, D. 2000. True Professionalism: The Courage to Care about Your People, Your Clients, and Your Career. New York: Touchstone Press. pp 16, 17.

Parsons, P.J. 2004. Ethics in Public Relations: Aspiring to Professionalism. London & Sterling: Kogan Page.