March 18, 2025
The Importance of Professionalism
There is a saying that goes something like this: ‘Professionalism is not the job you do, it's how you do the job.’
As K-State Research and Extension professionals, we have a responsibility to uphold high standards to the university and to the people of Kansas, and to ourselves. In today’s Tuesday Letter, I’d like to take a brief moment to consider the way we conduct ourselves, relate to others, and approach tasks -- all of which factor into our degree of professionalism.
I’m a bullet list kind of gal, so I appreciate our colleagues from Mississippi State Extension who identify five distinct ways to be professional on the job.
- Punctuality and attendance.
- Communication.
- Presentation and appearance.
- Competence and initiative.
- Respect.
With those in mind, I challenge each of us to reflect for a minute on areas that we do well and could do better.
In the spirit of leading by example, I’ll start with myself. In my humble opinion – ahem -- I think I do a good job showing initiative and being respectful. It was impressed upon me early on in my career by my mentors the importance of initiative. From deciding what to do on any given day, to starting a conversation with a PDC, to volunteering in our professional associations or on task forces and committees, initiative is the name of the game.
On the flip side, there are areas that I could improve. I am constantly refining and strengthening my communication skills. This is an area of professionalism that is always evolving. Technology has forced our hand to learn new ways of communicating, not to mention the multiple generational differences in our workforce.
If I’m really honest, I think I could do a better job of presenting myself. It seems to me that we are more casual at the workplace than we were a decade or two ago. I know this is something I am guilty of.
Dressing professionally in extension is harder to do than you might think. On any given day, you may find yourself in a garden or in a field and some days are spent entirely in the office. Regardless of where you find yourself, it is crucial that we look professional and maintain an image that purveys your credibility and abilities.
If we are to be seen as experts in our field and want to be sought out as a credible source of information, we must look the part. Additionally, be mindful that, as an extension professional, you are a direct representative of Kansas State University.
While many factors play into our level of professionalism, take the opportunity to self-reflect and challenge yourself to improve in one or two areas. Professionalism is a determined effort by everyone in the workplace to give their best each and every day.
Collectively, we all play a role in the level of excellence in which we present ourselves.