How to be, act, and appear as a Professional in the Workplace…

Please note that the National Association of Professional Women occasionally allows guest writers to post to our blog. The views expressed below in no way represent the views of NAPW.

Professionalism can be defined in various ways according to whom you ask. But for the majority of people referencing professionalism in the workplace; they see it more as several learned attributes or perceived behaviors. Professionalism is often a matter of having good values and acting on them in the workplace. Those that create a professional demeanor often find themselves awarded for their acts with bonuses, promotions, and advancements.

First and foremost professionalism in the workplace starts with your ability to be trustworthy. People tend to underestimate the value and moral importance of trustworthiness, but this attribute is seen as a professional act among peers. If you prove yourself to be a trustworthy person by sticking to your word, standing by your beliefs and not stabbing people in the back- you will be viewed as being a professional.

Second, you must always prove yourself competent. Often competency means listening instead of talking; it means hearing what is said and acting on those comments. Competence relies on what you know, but also on what you can learn from others.

Respect for yourself, as well as others, is the third attribute for professionalism in the workplace. Respect is earned and not given- respect is the ability to hear varying opinions sometimes different than your own and communicate your feelings in regards to that opinion in a non-judgmental way. Respect for one’s self starts with individual responsibility, including your perception of yourself. If you respect yourself, others will follow.

Professionals act with integrity; this means being honest and fair with co-workers, superiors, and those that work for you. If you want to be perceived as being a professional in the workplace, you must act with integrity; treating all those around you with respect and giving each person their own fair treatment.

Consideration and empathy are the final two attributes that contribute to professionalism in the workplace. These two attributes are often missed when people describe professionals; but in order for you to understand all aspects of any scenario, you must be able to put yourself into another’s shoes, you must be able to consider all aspects before you can act in a professional way.

Professionals in the workplace lend support to their co-workers, employees, and superiors; as well. Professionals in the workplace often go above and beyond their job duties to aid or support other’s they work with or they work for. Professionals in the workplace are easily approachable people and have good communication skills; they hold themselves accountable for their own actions. Many professionals find themselves in situations at times that challenge their values and their beliefs; often times creating inner and outer conflicts. It’s important to work through these conflicts in rational ways in order to maintain your professional demeanor. If you want to improve your professionalism in your business environment; start by applying some of these attributes to your everyday routine.

Matt Proman, NAPW Founder

Matthew Proman, founder of the National Association of Professional Women, began on this path by recognizing that some of his best clients were professional women. From his exposure to this important segment of the business community, he quickly gleaned how he could provide the critical support professional women need to further their business growth and career advancement. Matt Proman understood how to establish platforms from which individuals can efficiently and effectively present themselves to further their careers and to achieve personal and professional success.

With this keen insight, and recognizing that professional women throughout the United States could greatly benefit from an association devoted to facilitating networking and the enhancement of knowledge and insights among these professional women themselves, Proman founded the National Association of Professional Women.

As we all know, NAPW went on to become the largest national business association for professional women in the United States!

Women In the Business of Child Care

Some women feel very strongly about the maternal instincts in the female kind and there are many instances of women becoming successful entrepreneurs simply by making use of these maternal instincts and putting it all together in the form of a child care business.

Many women have opened up child care services businesses and contract out workers to plausible homes that are in need of child care service. If you feel like there is a need of child care services for children of any age you will probably do a great job if you begin a small business providing child care services to clients.

Child care is something many parents need after the mother has given birth to their children. National Association of Professional Women members sometimes say that at times it becomes impossible for the mothers or the fathers to stay at home with the child for too long since they have business restrictions or job commitments to fulfill. This is why many companies that are providing these services are running successfully in many different areas. If you chalk up a suitable business plan and look for some source of funding which can help you set up this system you can become an entrepreneur and be the owner of a thriving business in very little time.

The most important tool, according to experts, in terms of business success is customer retention as well as employee retention. This is the only way to run a stable business with the help of your employees and to receive positive word of mouth which can only come through best service. This means that if you deal with one client in a positive way they will surely refer you onwards and sing your praises to other potential clients.

If you wish to look for more business advice you can become a member of the National Association of Professional Women or the NAPW which can also connect you to other women in the related fields.

What Does It Take to Be a Professional Woman?

There are many ways a woman can attain financial freedom even in these tough times. If you are a working woman you can always go the extra mile to improve your professional skills and become less prone to lay offs and downsizings. But if that problem has come upon you can always get back up on your feet with a small business idea that can get you profits. Regardless of what your goals, all it takes for professional women to succeed is a lot of hard work and a positive attitude. You can also become a part of organizations like the National Association of Professional Women or NAPW which can give you further advice on all aspects of your profession and also connect you to other women who are in related fields.

If you are looking to get ahead in business you can always take some grant or other funding opportunity to help you business expand or grow and earn more profits. This can be achieved by checking out specific grants and loans available for women by the federal or state government. You can also remain in touch with the associations and groups you joined like the National Association of Professional Women or the National Association of Women Business Owners which can help you get good advice and offer the best solutions. This way you will also be updated on what the business world is going through these days and you will be able to turn your small business into a thriving success.

Positive attitude and will power will also help you achieve your targets and goals. Keeping a positive outlook on life regardless of the problems you face will help you stay connected with the rest of the world and take on the right opportunities when they arrive. All you need to become a successful professional woman is the right attitude and proper planning. Visit NAPW for more information!