1. PROFESSIONALISM
A Primer

2. Professionalism
When you think of professionalism, what is the first thing that comes to your mind?
How someone is dressed.

3. Professionalism This training is not about how to dress.
This training is about how to think as a professional.
If you think as a professional, what you wear will come along with it.

4. ? Definition ? ? ? ? Merriam-Webster defines professionalism as
The conduct, aims or qualities that characterize or mark a profession or a professional person. ? ? ?

5. Professionalism
Professionalism comes down to the many choices that people make daily.
When the time we get up in the morning, we choose the clothes we wear. Women choose the way in which they apply their makeup and men make a choice of ties, facial hair, etc.
We all choose the organization we display in our workspace.
Professionalism is determined based on how others perceive you. It’s not about how much you spend on a suit, but the fact that your suit is nicely pressed and stain-free.
It’s not about where your workspace is, it’s about the pride and care you take in keeping it clean. Professionalism comes down to effort.

6. Yet Another Definition
"A professional is a person who can do his job when he doesn't feel like it. An amateur is a person who can't do his job when he does feel like it." - James Agate

7. Ideas on professionalism
Don’t…
…bring attention to yourself – negatively or positively
…put yourself in a situation in which you are engaging in inappropriate conduct.
…misrepresent yourself.

8. Ideas on professionalism
Do…
…present yourself as friendly, approachable, confident.
…know how to present yourself to those you meet – know how to shake hands and engage in appropriate small talk.
…be assertive, not aggressive

9. Ideas on professionalism
Always…
…state your full name.
…smile – A lot
…demonstrate competencies, not just opinions or subjective comments.
…maintain good eye contact and professional appearance.

10. Professionalism
When you think of someone who is very professional, what famous names come to mind?
How about Donald Trump?

11. Professionalism
When you think about someone who is not professional, what famous name comes to mind?
How about Homer Simpson?

12. Worksheets Let’s go through the worksheets together.
Donaldlisms Homerisms
Middle Statements

13. Now that we have agreed to stay away from the middle, let’s discuss six specific traits.
Do a self assessment as we review these on your sheet.

14. Reliability and Responsibility
Can be depended upon to do his/her duties.
Follows through on tasks he/she has agreed to perform.
Arrives to work on time without incident.

15. Maturity Behaves respectfully Accepts blame for failure
Makes appropriate demands

16. Critique Accepts Criticism Looks at self objectively
Takes steps to correct shortcomings

17. Communication Skills Listens Well
Engages in blocking negative behaviors:
Hostility, derogatory, sarcasm, loud or disruptive distractions, gossip, verbal and/or non verbal cues of nonparticipation
Uses language appropriate to circumstances

18. Honesty and Integrity Adheres to professional and/or ethical standards
Is honest
Identifies and immediately corrects errors

19. Respect for Members Maintains member confidentiality
Is sensitive to members immediate financial needs
Is considerate to members
Addresses Members appropriately

20. Rating the traits

21. Team Exercise Count off 1, 2, 3, 4 (5)…1, 2, 3, 4 (5).
Get into your team and elect a spokesperson

22. Team Exercise Let’s play a game.
Spokesperson is your captain and will give the answers.

23. Game Earn points by answering the questions correctly. Answers are:
Donaldism – if correct + 1 pt
Homerism – if correct to get the point, your group must state what would make it a Donaldsim + 1 pt
Incorrect answers – subtract 1 pt

24. Game To win, your team must be the first to get 7 points.
To pick which team starts – pick a number between 1 and 10. Closest goes first, then clockwise.

25. The Winning Number is ?

26. Moral of the game
We all had fun and laughed about the homerisms. The truth is, we have all witnessed every one of these homerisms in the past 6 months.

27. Moral of the game
Start recognizing what is a homerism and what is a donaldism.
Let’s all stop allowing homerisms and start condoning professionalism.
Throughout the day, try to have more donaldisms than homerisms.