RES 325 – Professionalism Assignment Instructions

Professionalism In Modern Work Spaces

Introduction

The modern business landscape demands institutions to guarantee a high level of professionalism amidst the volatility and changes in the market. The term “professionalism” being used to refer to the practice of abiding by certain practices of responsibility, integrity, accountability, excellence and communicating well to be productive. Although multiple studies demonstrate that there is no one way of looking at professionalism, specific traits, and indicators pin point the term being reference to conduct, behavior, and attitude within the business environment. From an individual stand point, professionalism involves abiding by certain traits, conducts, practices, behavior, and attitudes that are either written or unwritten, yet are considered acceptable within that domain.

Defining Professionalism

The online definition of the term has been narrowed down in reference to traits that an individual’s need to gain develop work ethic. According to the national association of colleges and employers, work ethic tops the list among the competencies that are likely to guarantee work place success (Virginia Tech, 2021). Other traits that align to developing professionalism are being productive, adorning professional image such as dressing, taking initiative, maintaining effective work habits, managing time efficiently, having integrity, excellence, problem solving skills, resilience, being self-aware, communicating effectively and developing relationships. This definition cuts across the suggestion by Barnard (2016), Postma, Oldenhof, & Putters (2015) and Khan et al., (2020) who viewed professionalism as the commitment and ability to stay attuned to the needs of relevant stakeholders. In narrowing it down to the healthcare to a more apt definition, the articles consider HCPs or the health care providers professionalism as being the commitment to respond to the healthcare needs of the communities and acting in tune to the best interests of the patients. The definition from the book considers professionalism as putting ones needs above all other considerations. It is a selfless act guide by behavior and knowledge.

My definition of the term professionalism aligns to the online and the text book content by pin pointing the relevant traits worth adorning. Although both the text book narrowed down the concepts with much more details, some uniformity exists to show the application of the term. Secondly, the definition of the term also clarifies that despite the differences in reference to the approaches, each profession has unique qualities that extend to application of the term in different contexts. However, some of the qualities apply to these circumstances such as the application of trust, which cuts across the multiple subjects. Still the element of professionalism is guide by respect, knowledge, and behavioral understanding of the issue at hand.

Leadership and Professionalism

Leadership is an embodiment of professionalism from multiple stand points. Firstly, the relationship between the two very much affects the other to achieve efficiency, success, attain focus and separate one’s personal interest from that of the business. Secondly, leaders often are required to take charge in multiple undertakings to ensure everyone ion a team accomplishes their tasks. Usually, to be effective in ones undertaking as a leader would professionalism to balance between the needs of the firm and those of the workers. Lastly, despite the complexity in its requirement, leadership demands proficiency in multiple concepts, unlike professionalism which is easier to understand since it is guided by common sense and practice. Still a balance between the two is needed for the success of the either to be claimed.

Situation without Professionalism

In a past scenario, I witnessed a situation where a customer went to a hospital to make a complaint regarding how a patient had been handled. However, rather than calmly explaining the circumstances that led to the current approach, the nurse engaged in an altercation that would eventually turn to a huge harangue. The vocal fight almost turned physical. As the expected situation, the nurse should have calmly attempted to explain to the client the situation even though the client initially was abusive. Following on the professionalism norms, it would have been easier for the nurse to refer the incident to a person of higher authority to directly interact with the client.

Conclusion

Modern work spaces are constantly being reshaped in tune to the needs in the market to align them to better address the needs of the clients and to inculcate the spirit of professionalism. While professionalism seems an easy-to-understand practice, a lot more is needed to conceptualize its application and comprehend its change the unique traits among different disciplines notwithstanding.

References

Barnard, D. (2016). Vulnerability and Trustworthiness. Cambridge Quarterly of Healthcare Ethics, 25(2), 288–300. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0963180115000596

Khan, M. S., Bory, S., Rego, S., Suy, S., Durrance-Bagale, A., Sultana, Z., … Heng, S. (2020). Is enhancing the professionalism of healthcare providers critical to tackling antimicrobial resistance in low-and middle-income countries? Human Resources for Health, 18(1), 1–9.

Postma, J., Oldenhof, L., & Putters, K. (2015). Organized professionalism in healthcare: articulation work by neighbourhood nurses. Journal of Professions and Organization, 2(1), 61–77.

Virginia Tech. (2021). Professionalism. Retrieved from https://career.vt.edu/develop/professionalism.html