Are you a Professional?
How would you define a Professional?
Bill Wiersma conducted research asking a number of executives in various industries (including members of the Dave Matthews Band) whether they considered themselves professionals and what was their definition of a professional. Yet many who who surveyed did feel that those occupations that required a special degree or qualification, such as a doctor, lawyer, or accountant were professionals. His startling findings were that most people he surveyed did not view themselves as professionals, let alone understand the mind-set required to be one. It matters because the higher the degree of professionalism in a firm, the higher likelihood of achieving goals and driving better results. And that viewing oneself as a professional is a precursor to being one as the aspirational identity is affirming, and it elevates her view of herself and therefore influences her actions.
His research went on to find that 7 mind-sets were prevalent among the most trusted professionals:
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