People think professionalism is action. It’s not. ‘’it’s an attitude’’ and mostly it’s an attitude of self respect. Developing a professional attitude has to be something staff want to achieve, ‘’not something they have to do’’. Otherwise they won’t put forth the effort. And what makes it attractive is what’s-in-it-for-me, or the personal value it carries, which essentially is the fact that self respect generates returned respect from the people who sees it.
There are several factors that take staff to the
professional level------------------- all of them amazingly simple. But don’t
stop with these, let staff develop other elements to add to their professional
picture. And don’t expect to create professionalism in a day. The manager has
to ‘’remind staff again and again’’ that their attitude is what makes them
professionals and that being professional is what brings them personal
satisfaction.
A greeting begets a greeting:
The most important factor of professionalism is also the most often overlooked: a personal greeting. And part of that greeting is to introduce oneself.
Patients’ biggest complaint is not the wait but the fact that they aren’t greeted when they come in, A greeting ‘’is a form of respect’’ for the patient and at the same time ‘’a form of self respect’’ for the staffer, because greeting someone opens door to being greeted back.
If the phone is ringing and its not possible to speak to someone immediately, double the greeting when the call ends. Stand up ‘’and make a big point’’ of giving a personal hello.
Greetings are important within the office as well. Too often staff get so focused on their jobs ‘’that they miss the people’’.
The personal benefit of this element of professionalism: people who greet others warmly and with respect get the same in return.
A Smile creates the
following:
Another important albeit small element of professionalism is smiling--------- at patients, at co-workers, and at doctors. Professionally, it promotes patient satisfaction.
Another important albeit small element of professionalism is smiling--------- at patients, at co-workers, and at doctors. Professionally, it promotes patient satisfaction.
For the staffer, there
are several; good outcomes.
One is the fact that a smile makes the smile feel better, because the action of moving the muscles to form a smile ‘’sends positive reactors to the brain’’.
Another is that a smile indicates self confidence, and people tend to respect and follow other people who are confident. A smile ‘’is the most positive thing anybody can do to influence others’’.
The overall personal benefit: smiling makes an individual somebody other people want to be with.
One is the fact that a smile makes the smile feel better, because the action of moving the muscles to form a smile ‘’sends positive reactors to the brain’’.
Another is that a smile indicates self confidence, and people tend to respect and follow other people who are confident. A smile ‘’is the most positive thing anybody can do to influence others’’.
The overall personal benefit: smiling makes an individual somebody other people want to be with.
The Ultimate is
Etiquette
Finally,
professionalism is manners and etiquette, and again, attitude makes the
difference,Holding a door for another person ‘’isn’t an action but an attitude’’. The same is true of letting the door slam on that other person. It’s a demonstration of attitude, and people who have that type of attitude ‘’live their whole lives like that’’. Those who do not, have homes, marriages and jobs that are negative ----- and as an unprofessional-------- as they are.
The personal benefit: Manners and etiquette towards other people generate manners and etiquette towards the staffer who gives them.
