The journey to success is never without its challenges. It takes a great deal of physical and mental effort to get where we want to be and navigate the various obstacles that stand in our way. One thing that always strikes me is how soon those challenges are forgotten. Whether we are setting up in business for the first time or embarking on new business ventures, there is never an easy way. No matter how experienced we are, there will be times when we make mistakes, do something we regret, or mess up big time. Yet few in business ever talk about these experiences. It is as if failure is a dirty word.
No one likes to talk about it because no one wants to expose how they wandered around clueless because they had no plan A or plan B. Or how they overestimated their skill set, nosedived because they misread the market, or lost huge profits because they took bad advice. Instead, people cancel out their ineffectiveness by giving the impression that they have sharp business acumen, are nigh on perfect, and fast becoming living legends. Of course, it is all in their mind’s eye, but with such swagger, it is easy to get sucked into believing that the luck everyone else seems to have has somehow passed us by.
We can also easily talk ourselves out of something because we fear failure. If we fear failure, we set ourselves up to fail, mainly because we never begin to try. Whatever our ambitions, we are always going to be tested. There are elements of uncertainty in every situation. If we want success, we must believe we can see it through.
There are 4 things worth remembering
Blunders and oversights are all part and parcel of being in business. It is just that some people prefer to sweep it under the carpet and keep up the pretence rather than admit their struggles. It is easy to see why people do this. Aside from the pressure to prove themselves capable, no one wants to feel like they are washing their dirty laundry in public. The stigma associated with defeat leads us to think that if word gets out that we have made mistakes, we damage the faith people have in us and our reputation too. This is a flawed way of thinking because people value authenticity. We get greater respect when we show ourselves to be human like everyone else than we do pretending to be perfect because pretending only ever raises suspicion.
We might occasionally get it wrong, but if we are still in business, we are still here to tell the tale. It is all a matter of perspective. We have not totally failed; we just happen to have been unsuccessful and subsequently managed to put things right. To straighten things out, we will have understood where we went wrong. We will have picked ourselves up, dusted ourselves down, reflected, and re-evaluated our actions. As we started again, we took advice, sought guidance, adopted a different approach, and steered ourselves on a course of action that did bring success.
By having the courage to continue, we demonstrate our capacity to take it on the chin and not give up. We get to prove we have a growth mindset and are responsible and resilient enough to see our way out of a sticky situation. In all respects, we have acted with professionalism. This means we have not one but two stories worth telling. Not only did we slip up, but we also weathered the harsh conditions, turned things around, moved on, and came out the other side better and stronger. It is incredibly admirable, and if we can be proud of it, others no doubt will be too.
Each setback is a lesson through which we learn and move closer to success. Many of us would not be where we are today were it not for the wisdom and support people gave us along the way. Being open and transparent about setbacks and failures is a way of giving back to the business community that supported us. By sharing, we help colleagues and fellow business owners. We often overlook the fact that others have similar experiences and can potentially fall into the same traps as us. Through hindsight, we can guide others away from making the same mistakes. Moreover, we can reassuringly show that our misjudgements are not as ill-fated and damaging as they might initially seem. Because as we have discovered there is a professional way out of it all that allows us to proudly emerge with our dignity and reputation intact.
By offering candid insight into our shortcomings, we show ourselves to be responsible and accountable and make our honesty and transparency more visible. We all want to be the best, but our desire to prove it can see us falling into the trap of wanting to be perfect and since no one is, we risk undermining our credibility.
We often overlook that fact that our stories are a powerful narrative that can inspire others. They can change how failure is perceived and help shape a culture that values authenticity. Through this we can help bring honesty and transparency to the forefront of other people’s professional behaviour.
This article was written by Dr Cheryl Whiting the author of Professionalism Matters: Practical Ways to Enhance Credibility and Reputation. Professionalism Matters is an all-inclusive guide gets to the heart of what it takes to be a professional and stand out as someone with integrity.
You can read more about the importance of honesty and transparency in chapter 4 of the book which is published by Tantamount Books Ltd and available to purchase on Amazon. The link here provides further details of the content and an opportunity to read small sections of the work and reader reviews https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1909929956/
© Dr Cheryl Whiting – September 2024
January is often a time for deep reflection, a contemplative look back at the highs and lows of the past year. As winter hangs heavy, and the years roll on, we are prompted to think about radical forms of self-improvement. The call of ‘now or never’ drives us to make plans to get fit, drink less, learn how to scuba dive or join a theatre group, for example. And so, as we sit on the sofa staring into the empty tub of chocolates, we begin to prioritise the things that matter most over the things that matter least to transform our lives, improve our well-being, rebalance our behaviours or achieve growth on a personal level.
Yet what of our plans for self-improvement on a professional level, are our priorities the same? Are we embracing 2024 with a vision for improvement, or is it a matter of ‘New Year, Same Me’? There’s certainly something to be said for accepting ourselves as we are and persisting with the status quo after it takes a lot of effort to achieve change, and if we demand too much of ourselves we only end up stressed and tired.
In business the idea of ‘new year, same me’ leads to complacency. If we sit back and do nothing we stagnate. The lack of any form of physical or intellectual stimulus makes us vulnerable, particularly if we lack specialist knowledge or social or practical business skills. The fact is, the world around us evolves and we can’t afford to stand still, because in doing so we risk losing our competitive edge and exhausting new business opportunities. If we are to keep pace, protect and strengthen our credibility and reputation we need to refine our talents and sharpen our skilfulness and expertise.
Just as we recognise a need for personal change, so too, must we recognise the need for professional change to be sure of delivering the quality of service our clients desire and expect. New Year is a good time as any to be having a critical conversation with ourselves about professional development needs and unfulfilled aspirations. Reflection offers valuable insight; helping us process our experiences and put things into perspective. It creates self-awareness. It empowers us to believe in ourselves and the talents we have, at the same time allowing us to take control, be strategic and put ourselves on a path that leads to greater professional growth and accomplishment.
Regardless of which attributes and skills we feel the need to hone, self-improvement brings transformation, in which a new version of ourselves will emerge. When we increase our expertise by knowing more or having the skills to do more, we do better because we are better. By demanding more of ourselves we gain and so do our clients.
If we want our business to move forward, onward, and upward we must continually aspire to be our professional best. Professionalism is a strong differentiator, if we are to outshine those around us, we need to be mindful of where there is scope for us to improve and the standards we wish to aim for. Moreover, we must be ready to make these goals a reality and commit to enhancing and developing ourselves accordingly, no matter how challenging this may seem.
In business, ‘new year, same me’ is not an option, because however much we rate our abilities, the ‘same me’ will have limited vision and potential. By prioritising our learning and development we engage in a course of action that sets us apart and enhances our capacity to exemplify professionalism. Quite simply ‘New year, new me’, becomes ‘new year, new me, new fabulous’, and who doesn’t want that acclamation from our clients and contemporaries?
As always, your thoughts and opinions on this piece and any of my articles are welcome and graciously received. Wishing you all continued success throughout 2024
© Dr Cheryl Whiting – January 2024
Professionalism Matters is my first book – a book which has been a long time coming. Although I had published articles in sector-specific magazines and journals I somehow never got around to writing the book people thought I needed to write. Having amassed a wealth of knowledge through reading, researching, and teaching I certainly had some interesting thoughts to share on the subject, but the time never seemed right, until the Covid-19 lockdown came along. With time on my hands it seemed I no longer had an excuse, but that didn’t make starting the process any easier.
I put pen to paper, sketched out a few ideas, and read a few books about how to write a book. Writing a book is a journey, knowing I was likely to be in it for the long -haul I wanted to be fully prepared for the ride and able to navigate any obstacles, twists and turns that I might encounter. Keen to arrive at my destination (of publishing a book that others would want to read) I adopted a strategic approach in order to achieve success in a way which allowed me to enjoy the experience, balance writing alongside work and family, and emerge with my sanity intact.
Here’s what I did, and if you are thinking of writing a book, then I suggest you consider doing the same.
This will help clarify your ideas about the type of book you want to write, who it is for, and why you want to write it. I followed the plan set out in the book ‘From Authority to Authorship’ by Gwyneth Box. This includes a really comprehensive book proposal plan. Completing this helped focus my ideas, so I could start with the endpoint in mind. As I answered the series of questions, I got to explore my expertise, reasons for writing the book, and how it would be of value to my target audience. Moreover, I got to appreciate the scope of the book, its content and format, the commitment required, and my aspirations following its publication. After all, there is no good investing time in writing a book that no one wants to read, you can’t sell and have no long-term plans for. Clarity in the early stages at least ensures you’re heading in the right direction for all the right reasons.
Get a feel for the type of books relating to your subject that are already out there. Chart the key message being portrayed and the audience they appeal to. Note the year of publication, style of writing and how you can relate to what is being said. After doing this I discovered that the market was not saturated with books on professionalism. Those that existed explored social and political perspectives largely aimed at academics, whilst others focused on business etiquette, manners, and the development of skills and were aimed at school leavers or new graduates. The rest were aimed at CEOs of large corporations and presented themselves as an effective tool for management and commercial success. What struck me was that although the books tended to cover similar topics, as a freelancer and small business owner I didn’t recognise myself in any of the books and struggled to relate to the context and the issues explored. Here was the gap in the market that my book could fill. Reading and analysing books already published helps you understand what books are likely to be sitting directly next to yours on the bookshelf in the bookshop. In seeking to understand the competition, it is possible to determine the approach you need to take to be different and stand out.
Writing can be a lonely process without support, and stressful if you are unsure of what you are doing or lacking confidence to do it. Tapping into the ideas, and experiences of others is invaluable, and makes the journey ever pleasurable. There are plenty of book coaches out there, but my advice is to take your time in finding the right one for you. Don’t be afraid to check out their credentials and services to be sure they have sufficient experience in writing and publishing the type of book you wish to write and expect to sell. I met with my book coach once a month, as well as helping me overcome the physical and psychological challenges I faced it also helped me improve the quality of my writing as I went along. Book coaches are a great way of maintaining accountability, staying motivated and on track.
Nothing makes you feel like a writer than being amongst writers. Whether face-to-face or online there is plenty to be gained from others’ experience and expertise. These groups are a source of inspiration and full of people willing to offer advice and share their experiences so you too can develop your writing skills. Personally, the writing community has been nothing but supportive. No matter whether you write fiction or non-fiction, everyone appears to be appreciated simply because they share a passion for writing. You don’t have to be a published author to join a writing group, you just have a desire to write. They are fantastic for expanding your knowledge of writing, publishing, and marketing and can accelerate your journey into authorship. Why not seize the moment by joining me and many others from across the globe for #FriSalon an online Twitter/ X group that engages in writing-related chat on Fridays at 4 pm GMT (11 am EST), its a fun way to learn and engage with an enthusiastic writing community.
People often think that to be a serious writer you need to invest in and install specific writing software packages. Personally, I got by without anything other than pen and paper and Word for Windows, which includes an option to dictate; handy when thoughts emerge faster than you can type. Although I installed Grammarly, an app which corrects and advises on style, grammar and spelling, I stuck with the free version until my draft was complete, opting to upgrade so I could make use of the plagiarism detection tools. The fact is, these apps won’t make your ideas flow any quicker and they won’t write the book for you. Quite simply, get writing! Progression should come before possession. It is much more motivating to see words on a page than it is to have an app with features that you are probably never likely to need or use. Fancy apps and gadgets won’t make you a writer, only writing can do that.
Turning ideas into words can be cognitively challenging. Making a start is often the hardest part. Don’t let this put off. If you have a burning ambition to write a novel or if like me, you are passionate about something and want to reinvent yourself as an authoritative voice on the subject and inspire others to change the way they think and act, then following these 5 simple steps is sure to kickstart your ambition of becoming an author.
As always, I welcome feedback and questions in relation to my articles. If you have something to say on the subject, consider it helpful or have a question to ask, then please feel free to contact me.
© Dr Cheryl Whiting October 2023
Written by Dan Harris
Professionalism Matters, the title of Dr. Cheryl Whiting’s excellent book, is very apt for today’s business world and life in general. Professionalism is a much admired and valued attribute, not only because it signifies so many positive attributes of performance and behaviour, but also because it plays a significant part in defining one’s personal brand, or what used to be called in bygone days, reputation. Achieving and maintaining a high level of professionalism has an intrinsic value like a golden coat of armour protecting you as you advance through your career. However, the consequences of losing the shine of this highly valuable attribute are dire and always make for a sad and unfortunate tale. Professionalism Matters helps build that armour and keep that shine every step of the way.
I’ve been interested in this book since its beginning and have discussed it on many occasions with Cheryl. It’s been a three-hundred-and-sixty-degree exercise in the good, the bad and the ugly of professional life and increased my appreciation of the value that professionalism provides to the individual and his or her colleagues. Cheryl’s decades of professional experience, writing, research and lecturing on the subject have come to fruition in this book, and we are fortunate that she has covered it so competently and comprehensively. If you want to build a promising future for yourself and the organisations you work for, internalise and practice what this book preaches. Cheryl’s writing is also accessible, so you can easily understand and implement her message. In a sense, she engenders the inner voice of the professional, providing insight and knowledge to build your skillset, slalom past obstacles and be the consummate professional you want to be.
From a macro perspective, faith in professions and institutions has been rocked over the decades by scandals and the decline of standards. Examples of institutional malpractice and corrupt behaviour of the police, government officials, religious organisations, corporations, and an inexhaustible list of other professions seem to be increasing at an increasing rate. One would not be remiss for thinking that we’re fulfilling Nietzsche’s theory of ‘will to power’ where arguably professional ethics and standards are merely superficial concepts and our more basic instincts prevail. Hopefully, a book like Professionalism Matters will help lead us to more exemplary behaviour and performance from both individuals and institutions.
The perception of diminishing professional standards may be a grumpy malcontent point of view but it is a challenge facing both business and society, nonetheless. How individuals perform their jobs and organisations conduct themselves are a greater concern than ever before. Professionalism, for instance, is a significant factor when analysing a nation’s productivity and for good reason. Productivity is a key indicator of the strength and health of an economy, and elements of professionalism like values, attitudes, work environment, working practices, and well-being play an important role. Productivity in the UK since the turn of the century has been struggling relative to other industrialised countries. After a series of major events like Brexit, government instability, the COVID pandemic, and the war in Ukraine, the UK is desperate to improve its middle-ranking level of productivity and competitive position among the leading economies. The teachings provided in Professionalism Matters are, therefore, vitally important to helping improve the productivity and performance of the UK and any nation’s economy.
Having worked at various levels of corporate life in the USA and Europe for some of the biggest names in high technology, government and finance, I’ve seen great examples of consummate professionalism as well as dreadful behaviour and performance. It’s a daily challenge to maintain and develop your professional skillset, especially in organisations whose values aren’t rock solid. In those circumstances, it’s difficult to maintain let alone grow that skillset when some of your colleagues don’t adhere to the same high standards. What really matters, however, is not the profession but the values and attitudes each individual holds regardless of job title. This is brought to light throughout Professionalism Matters and will help anyone in any profession achieve high standards and capture the intrinsic value of being a true professional.
There’s also something special about seeking a higher level of professionalism nowadays. It’s basic economics that when a precious commodity is scarce, its value usually goes up. Given diminishing standards and values, being recognised as a person with high professional standards will make you a valuable asset, a provider of high customer satisfaction and enable you to differentiate yourself in a competitive workforce, as promoted throughout this must-read book.
Even if you are a good, positive, hard-working individual, challenges in working life are ever present and that’s why Professionalism Matters is so valuable. Read it, enjoy it, and keep it close to hand throughout your career.
Dan Harris – Vice President, Cheltenham Chamber of Commerce is a Podcast Host, ‘Over Here, Over There’, and Director, HymnSheet Ltd.
© Dan Harris – May 2023, Professionalism Matters, Tantamount August 2023
Everyone wants respect. Our clients want respect, and so do our business associates and fellow networkers. Yet there is a combination of expectations. Everyone wants the same thing, but at the same time, everyone wants different things. Our clients arrive expecting a warm welcome that leaves them feeling happy, safe, and valued. At the same time, they want a personalised service that aligns with their individual needs. They anticipate the personal touch on two levels. First, clients expect to be given respectful attention. They count on being shown courtesy and kindness and envisage that we will treat them equitably and fairly. Second, they hope we will make them feel special by respecting their differences.
It is within us all to act in such ways, but it is not always within us to do it with sincerity. We can all pretend to be friendly and suck up to people to get their business. However, clients will soon see through this pretence; in the longer term, this will not serve us or our business well. The respect we show must be genuine and naturally come from the heart. To be professional, there must be sincerity behind our words and actions and an appreciation of what it is like to stand in our clients’ shoes. This means we must understand the type of service they expect to receive and be ready to deliver it. Clients are confidently reassured when we have a passion for what we do, a strong desire to help, and a genuine interest in them, over and above ourselves or our profits. If clients are to trust us, they must believe we
are acting with feeling. What we express on the outside must match what we feel on the inside if we are to be considered authentic.
We can only give attention and make clients feel special when we genuinely appreciate them for who they are and are concerned with meeting their individual needs. To show respect with sincerity, we must get to know our clients personally. As professionals, we must do this with an open mind and suspend our assumptions about our clients’ expectations. This is important because, to others, the world is not as we see it. It is wrong to assume that our behaviour is universally accepted as the right way to conduct oneself.
Only when we get to know our clients on a much deeper level do we begin to increase our understanding of their situation, feelings, and frame of mind. With this comes insight into their values and the extent to which we have personal or cultural similarities and differences. Consequently, we begin to see our clients as individuals and to acknowledge and accept them as such. The insight we gain increases our ability to understand our clients and recognise their customs and values. This assists in overcoming personal prejudice and biases.
Only when we begin to see things through the eyes of others can we respond with sensitivity and respect and be more aware of what actions are appropriate and those that are likely to offend. The personal discoveries we make through our interactions are significant and serve as an extension of our knowledge and expertise. In seeking to understand, we improve our ability to interact, relate to our clients, and flexibly adapt to their needs. This lessens the chances of any misunderstanding and helps us be more respectful towards our clients, which in turn enhances their respect for us.
Extract from the book Professionalism Matters, Chapter 6– Dignity and Respect. Published by Tantamount. © Dr Cheryl E Whiting, August 2023.
The first rule of professional excellence is that ‘good enough’ is not good enough. When we accept good enough, we impose limitations on ourselves and our expectations. This holds us back, prevents progress, and limits our potential. If we want success and the recognition that comes with it, we must raise the bar, be pioneers and demand more of ourselves. This means setting higher standards and rising to the challenge of doing whatever it takes to make it happen, even when what it takes is complex. If we are to strive for excellence, we need to lead the way by putting ourselves on a very different path from others. When we pursue and model excellence, we become trailblazers. We set the quality and standards for others to follow and raise the bar entirely.
Anyone who has ever attended a business award ceremony knows these are auspicious occasions. Rightly so, because any success brought about by going above and beyond in terms of quality and standards deserves to be recognised and celebrated. However, excellence is not about winning awards. It is about pursuing a higher purpose: that of self-improvement, doing better and being better. Our award winners will have challenged themselves to do just that. It is this which will have led to their success. Having already committed to pursuing excellence within practice, the award is like a cherry on top of the cake. This formal recognition brings the winners a more profound level of satisfaction for something they were already enthusiastic about and dedicated to.
Before anyone gets too disheartened by the absence of a gilt-edged award on the shelf, it is worth remembering that recognition of excellence comes in many ways. The certificates of achievement and accreditation we acquire attest to our compliance with industry and quality standards. The positive online client review, which describes how we delivered as promised, the recommendation that brought us new clients, and the thank you card and gift expressing gratitude for our expertise and efficiency all validate our pursuit of excellence. Any form of recognition and appreciation that recognises quality, innovation, the effectiveness of our commercial endeavours, and service to clients, is worth shouting about, not least because best practice inspires others to follow suit.
Excellence is, however, transient. Past success does not necessarily define future success. As any athlete will tell you, you are only ever as good as your last race. Their dash to the finish line in record time, lengths ahead of their fellow competitors, represents the outcome of months, maybe even years, of arduous training to achieve a much sought-after personal ambition. Throughout this process, they have challenged themselves to be better than they were the day before. It is this which has led them to achieve success. However, to stay on top of the game and keep winning, they must keep training and pushing themselves to be better, fitter, and stronger. Why? Because there are other athletes out there desperate to catch them up and pass them by.
It is the same in business. The glory of any momentous achievement will only ever be short-lived. Unless we aspire and commit to the continual pursuit of excellence, the competition will quickly muscle in to steal our glory and our clients.
Extract from the book Professionalism Matters, Chapter 8 – Professional Excellence. Published by Tantamount. © Dr Cheryl E Whiting, August 2023.
