Happy New Year!  After some thought I have come up with a topic that is one of my all time biggest irritants. Nothing gets under my skin more than when I encounter a lack of professionalism in any profession. 

I’m by no means perfect and have certainly made a few blunders. I have high expectations when it comes to being and acting like a professional and I’m guilty of assuming those around me do as well.  I will also admit that I have low tolerance for those who don’t. This comes down to how I was raised, the training I received while on the job and the expectations that were placed on me as an employee, a supervisor, a business owner and now as an instructor.

Let me paint you a picture.

How many times have you been in a situation where you are expected to network. You approach an individual who you know and they are talking to people who you don’t know.  Instead of introducing you to the unfamiliar people they leave you hanging and don’t introduce you at all or you are forced to introduce yourself creating an awkward moment. 

Another incident I have encountered more then once is the weak hand shake. You know the one I mean, the limp-wristed-clammy-I-can’t-be-bothered-to-give-any-effort-or-enthusiasm-when-I-shake-your-hand handshake. It’s like your hand is befriending a dead fish. You want to be taken seriously in your profession? Learn to give a firm handshake and look the person in the eye while doing so.

If you have an administrative assistant working for you, are you aware how they are answering the phone on your behalf? When they greet the caller; are they introducing themselves?  Are they speaking clearly and not chomping huge wads of gum or any other food particle? Is every second word they say “like”? I’m always taken aback when I call to reach someone and I don’t get a “good morning” or “good afternoon” or the greeters name. If I don’t get a name, I ask for it.  This seems to catch the greeter off guard.  But honestly, I would like to know who I’m talking too.  I especially like when they put the phone down and it goes “CLUNK” in my ear.

In some respects, it appears that professionalism is fading.  Maybe the rules have changed. To be fair; some people just need to be taught. Call me old fashioned but saying please and thank-you, asking someone how they are, showing respect, and giving a solid handshake never gets old or goes out of style. For those who refuse to shake a person’s hand because they re afraid of germs, carry some hand sanitizer and get over it.

Maybe this is my cross to bear (along with my dislike of raisins and products I like being discontinued), and maybe I have only myself to blame, but when someone tells me that they will return my call by a certain time or day, I actually take them at their word. When I call and leave a message or send an email that requires a reply, I do expect a response in return.  I get that everybody is busy and the day can easily get away, but everybody is busy.  I don’t think it’s unreasonable to expect a reply. If you don’t respond to me within say 48 hrs, I will start pestering you and keep pestering until I get an answer.  I’m not going to go away so you are better off getting back to me sooner rather then later.

Here’s a story from the Anna Indulgence files:

Soon after we opened, we were approached by an owner of a company who was interested in selling us a product. We asked the owner for client references, in which the owner had trouble remembering. It was odd that the owner had no problem remembering (and insulting) the customers they approached who didn’t buy into their product, including a business who was run by a friend of ours. We were quite taken aback at the lack of restraint from the owner and due to an obvious lack of professionalism, we choose not to do business with them.

I have also been a witness to hearing colleagues insult other colleagues or supervisors in front of both subordinates or students. There is no reason you can give me that makes this okay at any time. If one can’t practice self-control then one has no business being in that position. They will achieve nothing but looking like a fool and losing the respect of others.

Currently, I am reinventing my career as a pastry chef into a chef instructor. One of the philosophies I think is important to teach is to show pride in the job and be proud of what one does. I have been known to preach “Make sure that whatever you send out, you are 100% comfortable staking your reputation on it.”  I don’t believe in half-assed attempts and I will push myself and those around me for best efforts.  If it’s not right the first time, then it goes back to be fixed. 

Often a lack of professional attitude comes down to a lack of manners, lack of pride, lack of training or all three. Sometimes people simply forget and some, as nice as they are, are just socially stupid. If one can’t bother to introduce a co-worker, shake someone’s hand properly, be mindful of those who they work with/for or fail to return a call or ignore an email, they are guilty of being rude.

I try to lead by example and instill the ideas of not getting caught up in petty emotions such as jealousy or arrogance and to rise above them. It should make no difference if your a movie star, some hot shot chef, a business person or if you pump gas. There’s something to be said for having pride in what you do for a living.

Some say the first impression counts the most. I believe it’s every impression. Actions and words can never be taken back and you just never know if your actions or words will deeply impact someone else. A little food for thought, wouldn’t you agree?