Friday, March 15, 2013

What is professionalism?


Deng Deng a friend from Penang asked me to define the word Professionalism.

In short I described as: Skill, good judgement and polite behaviour that is expected from a person who is trained to do a job well.

Thirty years ago, when I first started to sell life insurance, I termed myself as only an agent or a salesperson. I don't consider myself as truly a professional then cause I knew very little about the trade. It took me many years to learn about the rules and regulations of the business, when I could sell more effectively but I still wasn't a professional yet. It was only after more than 10 years in the business, when most of my clients started to trust and respect me. Not only was I knowledgeable in products and related matters, I was getting wiser who could understand more of my client's needs and want. I developed better human relationship, I spoke more confidently and I was very passionate on my career. Today, all my customers take me as a professional in life insurance.

Yes! Professionalism has to be earned, rather than being called. A real "Professional" is a brand, which is tagged with respects that one gains. It takes lot of practice for an individual to perfect himself, and a path to perfection is professionalism. The path to perfection involves holding high personal standards, competing with oneself, constant learning, dedication, and commitment to excellence.

My Dear Deng Deng, "Have I answered you?"

3 comments:

DengDeng said...

yeah! the sifu is really professionalism sifu.

a person with skill, good judgement and polite behaviour but without knowledgeable also might act as professionalism in the way of handering people.

p/s: if the way i comment sound like un-professionalism, pls foorgive.

haha...

DengDeng said...

yeah! the sifu is really professionalism sifu.

a person with skill, good judgement and polite behaviour but without knowledgeable also might act as professionalism in the way of handering people.

p/s: if the way i comment sound like un-professionalism, pls foorgive.

haha...

Robert Foo said...

Hi Deng Deng,

A person who could speak well might not write very well. And that is why I am here trying to learn to write better by blogging. I'm a professional salesperson but I'm only an amateur writer.

Thank you for letting me to write on your behalf.