Who is a Professional ?

A Professional is one who 

Has knowledge about his profession or responsibility   i.e. he has specific and specialist knowledge about his job which comes from specific training and experience in that field,  e.g.  engineer, doctor, chartered accountant,  tailor,  sculptor  etc. 

Has a definite and standard method of carrying out his work ;  in cases of deviation, has, again a set of standard responses for meeting the deviations or unexpected changes.  e.g.  doctor,  car mechanic,  electrician 

But, in today’s  competitive world,  the word professional or professionalism has acquired a much bigger meaning.  It includes 

• Following a code of conduct appropriate to the profession you are practising e.g.  doctor – patient relationship,  lawyer – patient relationship,   tailor,  actor. 

• Acting on a set of codified rules, practices,  behaviours that have evolved through specialist knowledge and years of experience,  as opposed to an amateur or fresher. 

• Working in a planned manner, taking into account various likely difficulties, obstacles and being prepared for the same. 

• Adhering to commitments – quality, cost and time e.g. courier service,  laundry,  management report etc. 

• Keeping the customer or “other person” regularly informed of progress in your work, delays if any, changes in milestones & corrective actions being taken. 

• Accepting responsibility for commitments made and bearing loss, if any,  resulting to you for extra work done to meet commitment. 

• Respect for the customer and/or the person you are dealing with.