Guide to Professionalism in the Workplace: 6 Ways to Uphold Professionalism

Overview

• An overview of workplace professionalism
• Different ways to show respect for others in the workplace
• Why it’s important to maintain a positive attitude and own up to mistakes

When it comes to success in the workplace, your ability to complete your job is only one part of the equation. The rest comes from your ability to work well with others, how much your team can rely on you, and the impression you make on others when they work with you. In other words, workplace professionalism will have a significant impact on your career success.

Understanding how to behave professionally in the workplace can help you put your best foot forward, communicate more effectively, and position you as a valued member of the team. It can even help you before you get a job offer. The hiring manager conducting your interview will know the importance of professionalism and look for new employees who exhibit it.

Those interested in building their careers or getting started in a new field should take the time to review the important elements of workplace professionalism. This critical piece of career advice will help them make an excellent first impression at their job.

Workplace professionalism is the sum of your behavior and conduct while in a professional environment. It comprises an important part of a strong work ethic and can be found in any workplace, regardless of the type of business.

Workplace professionalism refers to behaving with integrity and in a manner that shows others that they can count on you to do your job well. Being professional means that you look and behave how one would expect from a professional. Your behavior and attitude in the workplace should differ from how you behave when relaxing and socializing.

Following this important code of conduct can help you make a strong first impression, even if it’s your first day on the job straight out of high school. Workplace professionalism includes timeliness, reliability, dressing professionally, and being courteous to those around you. Professionalism might look a little different from job to job, though. For example, the professional dress code may differ between an on-site trade job and an office work environment. However, the overarching idea of integrity remains consistent.

Professionalism plays a critical role in how others perceive you in the workplace. This type of workplace etiquette communicates to others that you care about your job and those around you. As the United States Department of Labor reports, workers who demonstrate professionalism are highly valued by their employers and are more likely to advance and attract positive attention in the workplace.

Overall, professional behavior broadcasts an attitude of consideration toward colleagues and clients and a personal integrity that employers and co-workers want to see. Knowing how to act like a professional person can be the difference between advancing in your career and possibly losing your job.

For professionals interested in improving their workplace behavior and preparing themselves to shine, there are a few key areas where you can focus your efforts.

Respecting others in the workplace, including co-workers, organizational superiors, and clients, is at the core of workplace professionalism. Respecting others takes on various forms. You should:

• Respect the beliefs and opinions of others. You don’t always have to agree, but mocking or insulting is just not an option. This also includes keeping ideas to yourself if they could potentially insult another person on the team, even if you’re unaware of their personal beliefs. When in doubt, it’s best to err on the side of caution.
• Use good communication skills. These critical soft skills not only mean explaining yourself well but also include engaging in active listening and seeking to understand other people’s ideas. It also applies to written communication and calls for proper grammar, respectfully addressed messages, and clear writing.
• Stay away from workplace gossip. Gossiping, even if done privately, can impact workplace reputations and relationships and hurt your chances of a successful career.
• Pay attention to your body language. Let your body language demonstrate your respect, such as stopping what you’re doing and giving your attention to someone who needs to ask you an important question. This applies regardless of whether it’s your boss, a colleague, or staff members who need to speak with you.

Show up on time to everything related to work, including meetings, the start of the workday, and client lunches. Being on time shows that you care and respect other people’s time.

Someone who habitually shows up late demonstrates negligence. They require other people to wait for them or otherwise disrupt business activities. It doesn’t reflect well on any professional and quickly leads to frustration on the part of others at the organization.

If outside circumstances cause an occasional disruption and result in you running late for something related to work, such as car trouble when preparing to leave for the job, make sure everyone on the team knows as soon as you do that you’ll be late and let them know when you expect to be available. True professionals understand the importance of respecting the time of other team members.

Businesses like finding employees who genuinely care about the mission and goals of the organization. Someone who only does the minimum demonstrates they don’t prioritize helping the business succeed. Instead, become an active participant on the team, put in the hard work, and show a willingness to help. Employees should ask questions, troubleshoot obstacles, and show initiative to work toward company goals.

Make an effort to prove to business leaders that they made an excellent choice by hiring you. Meet deadlines and perform well in your assigned tasks, and show your dedication to teamwork by looking for ways to further help the company if you find yourself with extra time.

Many people develop close relationships with their co-workers. However, as these relationships develop, it’s important to remember that the workplace is not a good place for letting out anger or intense frustration.

Having a positive attitude and not using the time at work to vent about projects, time tables, or bosses creates a more professional atmosphere. Save complaining for when you’re off the clock and minimize negative remarks to co-workers about anything regarding work. Keep some separation between your personal life and the time you spend with colleagues.

Everyone makes mistakes. They are a natural part of growing as a professional and human. While you should remain conscientious in your work and make every effort to minimize errors, if a mistake happens, be mindful of how you behave afterward. Trying to blame others for your mistake or covering up the error — especially if it causes more problems later on — will not reflect well on you. Instead, own up to the mistake so it can be remedied as quickly as possible.

Admitting to your mistakes also encourages clear and direct communication in the workplace. When colleagues know that you’re honest and have the best interests of the group in mind, it encourages them to be more open and honest, as well. A culture that allows people to admit mistakes is a healthy one and helps alleviate the threat of problems magnifying later.

People see you as a representative of your company even when you’re off the job. This can be particularly important in the age of social media. Companies don’t want their employees making negative remarks online, regardless of whether it’s on LinkedIn or Twitter. They want their team to exhibit a professional image.

This can be a difficult area to navigate, as what a person posts on their private accounts should be private. However, given how quickly posts go viral, it’s not always possible to keep private matters private. Therefore, be mindful of what you say. Think about what you post online and who you want to see it.

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