In addition to the original professions of Law, Medicine, Teaching, Theology/ Ministry and Military Officers; today we have embraced the notion of establishing high competency/ethical standards, specialty training/education and annual licensing for a variety of new professions such as Engineering, Management Consulting, Real Estate, Pharmacy, Human Resources, Accounting, and many more.
Professionals - individuals who practice their specialty craft full time, adhere to a code of conduct, have proven competency, and provide superior service to their clients - are under more scrutiny than ever before. The public wants to trust us, but occasionally the "bad apples" seem to get publicity and engender concern or even suspicion. We must constantly be on alert to not only advance our own personal capacities as new technology and practices evolve, but to report colleagues who are not measuring up. We must also contribute to the advancement of our professions overall, through the contribution to our professional communities for continuing education, positive public image, mentoring of new professionals, trustworthy collaboration with other professionals, and more.
I have the good fortune to have many regional and national professional bodies as my clients - in both improving governance of their Boards/Councils and also for strategy/planning. We are seeing a restless environment out there. Members are questioning what ROI they are receiving for their professional dues - simply recertification for another year doesn't seem enough. Professionals seem to be expecting their professional bodies to bring them business or enhance their personal prospects. They seem to be questioning the "service" they receive, or the programmes that are offered, or the benefits attached to their membership. In general I see a lot of professionals expecting more from their professional bodies and the staff. Indeed, the staff of the "college' or "association" or "council" seem to have come to be the face of their profession and the confrontation-point for dissatisfaction. But this is misplaced frustration.
Being a professional means that you, me, WE; are responsible for our own professional ROI. WE are the ones that not only must perform professionally with our clients, but ALSO must contribute to advancing the standards, reputation, performance and respect of our profession. This is one of OUR obligations of being a professional that seems to have slipped in understanding and appreciation. Those of us who are thought-leaders or recognized for excellence in practice should be contributing back to our peers and pulling them forward. Those who are NOT leaders, should recognize their obligation to stay informed and pay attention to leading practices and knowledge advancement - attending annual continuing education events and learning from your profession's leaders. Experienced professionals should be mentoring new professionals AND, new professionals should recognize the value of being mentored rather than make all the basic mistakes over again on their own.
So, if you are a restless professional; the next time you are feeling frustrated, and questioning what your professional body is/is not doing for you and your annual dues; instead turn it around and look in the mirror - and ask yourself, what YOU are doing for your profession. That's what a true professional would do!
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About the Author
Doug is a CMC & CHRL; serves as Chair of the International Cert Mgt Consultants Marketing Committee, and is President of Banff Executive Leadership - A leading Board governance and executive strategy consulting organization. For more information, visit: http://www.banffexeclead.com/
This blog was first published here.
