Professional: A shifting definition for a shifting world

 

     I have heard the word "professional" many times in the course of my career. In general, if a person said that someone's (perhaps mine) something was "unprofessional" it meant that they did not approve. The root of disapproval was often based upon what they, in their turn, had been told as they had progressed within their career. It was "unprofessional" because they had been told it was "unprofessional".

     Within the past, this has covered a lot of areas. It was unprofessional for women to wear comfortable shoes or to wear pants. It was unprofessional for men to have facial hair or any hair styles that were not rooted in the 1920s. Visible tattoos were certainly "no-nos". It was unprofessional for people to have natural hair -- only certain styles were acceptable. Sometimes it extended past the work hours such as restrictions on the behavior of teachers or bank workers on weekends or in the evenings. Upon starting our company, my friend and colleague informed me that my stainless-steel tooth crown was "unprofessional" and insisted I replace it with a more natural looking porcelain crown.

     The word has been used very much like "Nyet kulturney" (uncultured) within Russian society.

     So, what is professional? In appearance, at least?

     First, of course, is clothing and behavior related to one's actual profession. A carpenter or plumber has their tool belt. A costumed vigilante (usually the non-superhero type) may need their utility belt. A tailor may have their pins and needles and measuring tapes poking out of pockets. Peculiarly (at least, to me) the word professional is often least used within the context of true professional needs.

     A second, more universal, usage is that of establishing a customer-supplier relationship. Related to "dress for success", the clothing is meant to show a financial stability, a steadfastness, a reliability to the customer. This often works well within a social structure or income band. It does not work as well between income bands as the same difference in appearance that indicates stability in one environment may indicate a power relationship, not to be trusted, in another.

     The third area is use as a uniform. The dress, or appearance, has nothing directly to do with the profession. However, it is used as a symbol of recognition. Such as the white coat or scrub clothes for a doctor. Or the pants, clothes, and badge of a person enforcing regulations and laws. A firefighter may have special clothing appropriate for their firefighting needs -- AND a uniform that is worn during periods they are not actively performing their duties. Popular media often make use of this to indicate how easily a person can "appear" to be of a group by donning the apparel.

     Internal cultural acceptance is the final region. This is the most varied. To be a "member of the group" is usually quite valued. This varies a lot and is shifting a lot with hybrid/remote work. The strong need to express individual circumstances and desires coexists with the desire to be part of the group.

     The word "professional" can also be applied to behavior. This is even more difficult to define precisely. It includes a lot of attributes -- clean, reliable, trustworthy, "good" behavior, attitude, competence, courteous, putting customers' needs/desires first, accountability, hardworking, and others. Most such attributes are very subjective and if a specific attribute is considered to be of importance in evaluation, I would suggest using such directly rather than enclose it within the umbrella of "professional".