What is professional behaviour ?

It doesn’t matter if you work for a large or small organisation, or if you’re a manager or not, there are always expectations in terms of workplace behaviour. While most people can easily define what unprofessional behaviour is – knowing how to behave is a more positive way of looking at it. 

Professional behaviour is a form of etiquette in the workplace which is linked primarily to respectful and courteous conduct. Believe it or not, professional behaviour can benefit your career and improve your chances of future success. Many organisations have specific codes of conduct in place, but some don’t. In general, it comes down to ethics, integrity, dedication, and being conscious of how you treat co-workers.

Examples of professional behavior include, but are not limited to: Showing compassion for others; responding appropriately to the emotional response of patients and family members; demonstrating respect for others; demonstrating a calm, compassionate, and helpful demeanor toward those in need; being supportive.

Professional behavior is a key to career success, but it’s not always taught. Most people learn how to be professional, meaning they develop their own image and perception of competence, by watching others, but without good role models it’s easy to make mistakes that could be detrimental to your career and overall professional image. When you understand the fundamentals of professional behavior and act accordingly, you’re less likely to make those costly errors, and your career will continue on an upward trajectory.