Lessons in True Professionalism

post # 186 — September 10, 2006 — a Careers post

Hyokon Zhiang writes:

The Korean edition of True Professionalism by David Maister (that I and Innomove colleagues have worked on) has just been published. The book has both aspects like a father who strictly persuades us of the meaning and the value of doing things right, and one like a mother at the same time who warmly encourages hesitant us saying that doing things right is ultimately beneficial for ourselves. I strongly recommend this book to people who think themselves as professionals, or want to be professional.

Personally, the professionalism side of David’s advice was the most influential on me – more than strategy, marketing, recruiting, or any other more ‘skills’ related topics. That’s why I translated True Professionalism to begin with. And I believe that there must be other people like that.

I am interested to hear people’s experiences about professionalism. For example,

• How do you have the resolve to do what is the right thing to do vs. what is immediately profitable.
• Taking the high road. In some moments the high road is obvious but hard to give up the temptation to pursue short-term gain. Sometimes you want to follow the high road but it is not obvious which route that is.
• Sometimes you feel uncomfortable about your firm’s or colleagues’ behavior, and sometimes you feel disappointed about yourself in going along
• Some experiences give you life-changing lessons.

So, let’s pass on some advice and experiences, as requested. What have you learned about what it means to be a true professional? How have you learned to sustain professional behavior in spite of the world’s temptations?