By common definition, a professional is someone who possesses the skills and knowledge necessary to do a job-whether it's a top degree from a prestigious university or simply years of on-the-job training. For centuries, we have relied on this definition to help us determine who is capable and who is not, often assuming that the person with the most professional characteristics is the best one for the job.
But every day we see examples of so-called professionals who do more harm than good: a few irresponsible bankers whose get-rich-quick schemes led to a global financial meltdown; a once-respected hedge fund manager charged with running the world's largest Ponzi scheme and robbing his clients of billions; a team of executives siphoning funds from their employees pension plans...the list goes on. All of these people had the qualities necessary to do their jobs well, but instead they chose to abuse and corrupt their professions for their own personal gain.
So how can we weed out the best from the worst when the accepted standards are no longer enough, and when even the most powerful and respected among us cannot be trusted to behave responsibly or ethically?
According to businessman and bestselling author Subroto Bagchi, the first step is to redefine what it means to be a professional. Today, it takes more than just aptitude-it takes a commitment to doing what's right, not only for your business, but for society as a whole. In a world where patients, clients, and customers can no longer completely trust the advice given to them, The Professional outlines the explicit and implicit code of conduct.
By exploring a variety of professional dilemmas in a broad spectrum of industries-from law to medicine to finance-Bagchi asks and answers the toughest question every professional must face: Is what I am going to do now the truly professional choice? He also offers a set of criteria to guide your behavior. Among them:
* Suffer no false attractions: It's always tempting, and often easy, to take the path of least resistance. But real professionals can separate what is genuine from what is too good to be true.
* Know when to say no: The true professional is not afraid to say no to things that are not worth his time, his energy, or his creativity.
* Have a long view of time: True professionals understand that every action, can have a lasting impact on their careers and reputations. That's why they treat every small interaction and engagement with the upmost importance.
The Professional is a must read for anyone looking for a little clarity in an increasingly blurry world.
Subroto Bagchi is Vice Chairman and Co-founder of MindTree Ltd. Till 2008, he was its Chief Operating Officer, a role he stepped down from to become it Gardener. He is also Chairman of MindTree's Innovation Council . His earlier books, The High-Performance Entrepreneur and Go Kiss the World were best-sellers and received critical acclaim. Visit www.mindtree.com/subrotobagchi.
