Default Mode: PROFESSIONALISM
pro¡fes¡sion¡al¡ism noun\prÉ-Ëfesh-nÉ-Ëli-zÉm, -Ëfe-shÉ-nÉ-Ëli-\
: the skill, good judgment, and polite behavior that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well
(Source: Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
 To what is inherent for an individual is not so much manifested in a workplace in the millennial generation. This is based from a personal observation having been exposed in the academe and the corporate world. A number of questions are being challenged: Do schools (Universities and/or Colleges) lack qualified teachers to educate students to equip them with values and prepare them for the corporate world? Do students have venue for exposures? Is values appreciation being incorporated as a teaching tool? Does the corporate world have basic foundation to start with? How often do they renew their corporate governance?Â
Professionalism in many senses can be associated with a number of traits â Integrity, Respectfulness, Accountability, Loyalty, Obedience and what not.  However, one way or another, these traits are being violated nor are they observed in the corporate set-up.
To put this case in point for instance, a newly hired employee has difficulty accepting responsibilities. He is seen very mediocre at what he does, blames others for his inefficiencies and conducts himself poorly in and out of the workplace. Others even have the tendency of moving from one employer to another in less than three (3) years. This can be attributed to a number of factors and the kind of learning fundamentals instilled in him. The advent of advanced technology also contributes to oneâs attitude in school which could then translate to his outlook towards work.
  PROFESSIONALISM BEGINS in SCHOOLÂ
Professionalism begins in school where character, conduct, comfort, communication, and commitment can be honed with the knowledge and exposure we get vis-a-vis from what we initially learned from our homes. Furthermore, schools are considered to be our second home where we normally spend most of our basic formative years. For an average of at least seventeen (17) years, an individual is boxed in the confines of the four (4) walls of the classroom with the hope that when one has graduated, he is equipped with the knowledge, built his character and competent enough to face the challenges of the real world.
Words from John Wooden, he said âBe more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are.â This statement is very true. Character is not built in an instant, time and circumstances reveal it. Oftentimes, it is tested when pushed to its limits. In our younger years, during our primary or secondary school (âŚnot long time ago), we have our own peers or group of friends where we normally create a circle. Primarily, we choose them because we share the same interests â root for the same NBA team, talk non-stop on the movie you just watched on IMAX or share the same passion for food. Fight and challenges are sure not be discounted, as there were many of them in school. Unknowingly over the years though, the bond has grown deeper and we are able to influence, argue and complement each other. Truly, a major factor of oneâs character is the kind of people around him while growing up. What has started to be just school playmates now stands the test of time -- growing in maturity together whilst learning from each other. Even how teachers discipline and gratify students in school shape the kind of individual one becomes.
 I can clearly remember, we had a specific subject then dubbed as Good Manners and Right Conduct or GMRC from first to sixth grade. By high school, it was backed up by homeroom activities and Christian values education having been enrolled in a sectarian and Catholic school. Upon inquiry with friends, teaching in primary schools, I guess it is unfortunate that the âGMRCâ subject was already dissolved and students are just being evaluated with their CONDUCT based on their behavior profess in school. However, this observation is just a hypothesis and can be further validated if the dissolution of such subject contributed with individualsâ behavior in the modern generation.
In school, teachers have various group activities that promote camaraderie and relationship-building among classmates. These activities will manifest comfort among classmates especially when challenged with throwing of ideas, physical exercises and among others. With these group activities, each member portrays different roles, one stands out as a leader, an antagonist, a get-along guy, or simply a follower about the situation. Â Hence, there is a higher probability that attitude created in these activities may arise in a workplace among colleagues, clients and even superiors.
Also, the art of communicating effectively is taught in school. The basics of English language is introduced even from the first grade. The correct use of words, construction of sentences is repeatedly taught each year, even where punctuations should be placed are given emphasis because this can greatly affect how we deliver the message. The fatal comma saves life and is one of the most commonly mistaken statements â Come letâs eat grandma Vs. Come letâs eat, grandma is a concrete example that even commas or any critical element in communication creates impact of the message. Lately, these punctuation marks or any other critical elements in grammar are sometimes abused, sometimes never used. Therefore, communicating your message with the correct grammar or tone translates to correct interpretation of your message.
 The last part is commitment. As defined by Google, it is the state or quality of being dedicated to a cause, activity, etc.. Commitment, even at early age can be practiced and inculcated through strict implementation of deliverables, participation of extra-curricular or academic activities, and even sharing of responsibilities at home or school. The real test of commitment comes with accountability and how it can display competence.
A school is a place to learn and grow. For an individual to be branded as PROFESSIONAL, an appreciation of schoolâs learning and qualified experiences are desirable. A combination of both knowledge and exposure contributes how an individual performs a task, with passion and a degree of ethics.Â
PROFESSIONALISM in the WORK PLACE
In most of the organizations, regardless of the industry, from a small scale to a multi-national have established their own CORE COMPETENCIES as manifested by either CODE of ETHICS, CODE of DISCIPLINE, or CODE of CONDUCT. These CORE COMPETENCIES strengthen and sustain the organizationsâ goals and objectives. A well-defined and adapted core competency creates competitive advantage. Â Â
An organization establishes a Code of Conduct in adherence to responsible and ethical business practice. To uphold a rigorous competitive advantage, an individual should exhibit standards of PROFESSIONALISM at all times. However, to display professionalism is no longer given or it takes an effort to bring out professionalism. Some would even equate professionalism as common sense, it is either you have it or not. It is then, instead a challenge to be professional or having it at DEFAULT MODE. Â
Professionalism may have different interpretations but it should be realized that to display such is required at all times, most especially in the work place. An image of a professional individual can be manifested on how appropriate they look, interact with others and respond to a situation.
A number of situations and observed experiences which can be considered as RED FLAGS that indeed PROFESSIONALISM is abused or no longer practiced in spite of the presence of guidelines set by the organization:
CORPORATE IMAGE â Understanding the nature and sensitivity of your work is as important on how you display your individuality. It is desirable that those who dress professionally will behave in the same manner. A lawyer can never gain respect from clients or of the court if he cross-dress or a sales officer dresses up too fashionable canât possibly close a deal. But more than how one carries himself outside with the clothes he appropriately wears, it is how he presents himself to the public â smart and with finesse.
ATTITUDE TOWARDS WORK â A number of members in the workforce now are lenient without putting their best foot forward. To work for compliance instead of appreciating the learning experience they have that translate sincerity and fulfillment of their work.
CORPORATE COMMUNICATION â Sending the correct message across, it is then sought to be consistent with what you say (including the tone of your message) and on what they understand in a proper medium of communication. Formal letters are encouraged rather than sending them through SMS. At all times, it should be written and delivered with courtesy. Â
SENSE of ACCOUNTABILITY â If only commitment can be injected in every vein of an individual as to live up to commitments at all times. Deadlines and expectations are no longer observed to give way to biased personal interest. Also, a great deal of accountability is how one is responsible for his actions. Delays, failures and infractions should be dealt with personally, without having to point other people. This will spare conflicts within the organization, thereby keeping things harmonious.
EMOTIONAL MATURITY â Some human resources issues are present in a work place such as office romance, dealing with a crying employee and many others. These can be avoided if we display due maturity at workplace and create a line between personal issues and work.Â
 PROFESSIONALISM affects the ECONOMIC FRAMEWORK
JFS co-founder Junko Edahiroâs words at the First World Resources Forum (2009) on new economic framework, he said âThe mental model most people have is "the more economic growth, the more income, the more well-being and happiness there will be." Money and economic growth became perceived as the ultimate purpose and GDP became a yardstick to measure our progressâ. However, we have the difficulty of reconciling the âwell-beingâ Vs. âeconomic growthâ if individualâs contribution to the economy is minimal and superficial.
 It is an utmost effort for every individual to contribute to its economies through production, improvement of money flow and among others. However, it is least recognized that the success of an economic growth lies also to the minimal and sincere contributions of an individual, in this case, to practice PROFESSIONALISM.
First world countries like Japan, United States, United Kingdom and other allies, their workforce displays efficiency at work, respect for time, sensitivity to and with work to name a few. These traits translate to a developed and industrialized country, a benchmark with respect to their contributions to a growing economy, stable political status and mature society.
 It is then a challenge for every individual to conduct oneâs self with the utmost degree of integrity, accountability and courtesy. In a society like ours where mediocrity is very prevalent, it is admirable to find one being who possesses such traits. Apparently, our standard has gone low, primarily because the fundamentals have also weakened. Investing in education is the perennial solution to the problems of the country today. All it takes is the right attitude towards other people, dealing with work and carrying oneâs self, and these can only be done with the right values formation and mind setting initially taught in schools and harnessed in the real world.
 If only decorum is not a strange word, dealing and communicating with others may not be as difficult as it seems. If only PROFESSIONALISM is at DEFAULT MODE, then we can expect to achieve higher, within ourselves, the organization we work for and the society we are a part of.
