February 2024 SOCRA Source Journal - Journal - Page 14
TABLE 1:
CENTER FOR PROFESSIONAL EXCELLENCE SURVEY
Certain characteristics of
professionalism were routinely
ranked near the top in the
survey:
• Punctuality/attendance
• Strong communication skills
• Appearance
• Interpersonal skills
Punctuality/attendance and
appearance are professional
behaviors, while strong
communication skills and
interpersonal skills are
skills and knowledge.
Thus, the characteristics of
professionalism employers
noted were a blend of
professional behaviors and skills
and knowledge.
Through 2013, communication
skills were the top ranked
characteristic. In 2014, being
prepared to do the job, which
covers behaviors and skills, was
the top ranked characteristic.
By 2015, the top ranked
characteristic was being focused
on the job, which means being
able to execute the job from
beginning to end without
becoming distracted.
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The survey also asked about
unprofessional behaviors.
Through 2013, a poor work
ethic (apathy and
being unfocused), entitlement,
and appearance were the
top ranked unprofessional
behaviors. Entitlement is the
expectation for recognition
and promotions because of
who someone is rather than
what they do. Inappropriate
appearance for a job was also
a top ranked unprofessional
behavior.
In 2014 and 2015, the top
ranked unprofessional behaviors
were:
• Disrespect
• Lack of ambition
• Entitlement
• Appearance
• Lack of communication skills
• Using a cell phone or
texting inappropriately or at
inappropriate times
Disrespect was the most highly
recognized unprofessional
behavior in both years. Of the
characteristics of unprofessional
SOCRA SOURCE © May 2023
behaviors, people had the
most diverse perceptions about
being disrespectful.
EVALUATING
PROFESSIONALISM
In the workplace,
professionalism is evaluated
against expectations or
standards (Table 2). The
evaluation of professionalism is
situational in nature. Different
workplaces might have different
standards for professionalism,
and these standards could even
differ according to the situation.
For example, the COVID-19
pandemic and the remote or
hybrid work culture has had a
strong impact on professional
expectations.
Professionalism is strongly
influenced by culture.
Workplaces such as Apple
and Google have different
professionalism standards than
a government or health care
environment.
There are common parameters
for evaluating professionalism
for both individuals and groups.