Page 4 - NBIZ Magazine June 2023

Professionalism
GOT

By Leanne Hoagland-Smith, M.S.

hat does it mean to be a professional in sales
and specifically within a specific industry?
I believe it is a simple answer, but not
necessarily an easy one to answer.
Once again, the origins of this word are
Latin from “profession” meaning public
W acknowledgment.
Further research from 1747 reveals that professional as an ad-
jective meant pertaining to or appropriate to a profession or calling.
This definition especially referred to the skilled or learned trades.
(Source: Etymonline)
In 1798, professionalism as a noun was defined as a “person
who professionally follows a trade or occupation.” (Source:
Etymonline.com)
Fast forward to the 21st century, Merriam-Webster online
dictionary defined professionalism as:

0 The conduct, aims, or qualities that characterize or mark a
profession or a professional person.
Unfortunately, I learned a long time ago one should not define
a work using that word. To do the right thing when no one is
looking is probably the simplest answer.
Yet, being a professional has certain implications such as
having special knowledge, which requires going beyond just a
skill. Professionals can be practical in dealing with affairs. Today
we would call that behavior problem-solving.
Returning to the Latin origin of public acknowledgment would
suggest letters of recommendation, public reviews, personal
reviews, or even simple handwritten thank you notes would
meet this definition.
st
The further expansion of this word from the 21
century suggests conducts, aims, or qualities (think
ethics) are embedded within each profession.
So, what are those conducts (think behaviors),
aims, or qualities that define professionals? The Annual Gallup
Poll on Honesty/Ethics in Professions provides some insight as to
how certain professions are viewed ethically.
Nurses top the list with very high of 29%, high of 50%, Average
of 17%, Low of 3%, and Very Low of 1%. Medical Doctors come in
second with a very high of 17% and a high of 45%. Traveling down
the list, one discovers in the sixth ranking position is Clergy with
a very high of 8% and a high of 26%.
Reading further down the list are those who ranked Very high
with under 4%, High under 20% including real estate agents,
lawyers, journalists, advertising practitioners, business executives,
car salespeople, members of Congress, and telemarketers. Car
salespeople, members of Congress, and telemarketers ranked at the
bottom of this list.

4 NBIZ ■ June 2023